Use of a Social Network Platform for Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration for Physicians in Rural and Underserved Communities

Access to high quality health care services for individuals in rural and underserved communities is  dependent upon an adequate supply of physicians. There continues to be a shortage of physicians for rural and underserved areas.. Sparse population, lower pay rates, high proportions of racial and ethnic minorities, and lack of physical and cultural amenities characterize communities most likely to suffer from a shortage of physicians. This persistent shortage of physicians in such communities means that many communities struggle continuously to recruit and retain physicians.

Two of the strongest predictors that a physician will choose practice in a rural or medically underserved area is specialty and background: Physicians with rural backgrounds are more likely to locate in rural areas. Minority physicians are more likely to locate their practices and serve communities of color.  They feel a sense of belonging to their community.  Physicians who practice in remote and sparsely populated areas require special training in procedures, emergencies, and surgical care to feel confident in their abilities to handle situations without assistance.

In our project, we have designed a social network platform for physicians in rural and underserved areas to communicate and share information with each other and build a sense of community. Our social network platform allows physicians a place to share evidence-based medical practices, practice management information and other relevant medical information in a trusted and secure environment. Our approach will allow physicians from rural and underserved areas a knowledge network that allows them to communicate with like-minded colleagues that they know and trust. Our network platform allows the delivery of relevant information to each physician based on specialty and interests.