New Models for the Delivery of Musculoskeletal Care in Rural Communities

The prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions carries an associated influence on comorbidity. Rural communities have greater health comorbidities, poorer health outcomes, and difficulty recruiting and retaining physicians than their urban counterparts. It is unrealistic to rely on the physician workforce alone to provide adequate musculoskeletal care in rural communities. Nurse practitioners are more likely to practice in rural areas and provide care for vulnerable populations. Strengthening the health care workforce through postgraduate nurse practitioner education can help provide highly trained clinicians as continuity providers in rural communities. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.