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MSU and CIT receive $346,000 to improve rural medical care in Montana
October 31, 2008
Montana State University and the Bozeman-based Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation recently received $346,660 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve emergency medical services for rural geriatric patients.
The grant funds will be used to develop and deliver a continuing education program for rural emergency medical providers throughout Montana.
Like other rural states, the percentage of Montana's population 65 years of age and above is growing at a rate more rapid than other more-populated states. By 2020, Montana is expected to have the third-highest percentage of elders in the nation, up from its current position as fifth. According to Kim Obbink, executive director of MSU's Extended University, such demographics affect emergency services in two ways.
"Not only do aging residents require more frequent emergency care, but as young people move away from rural areas, the pool of potential EMTs--most of whom are volunteers--is decreasing," Obbink said.
The USDA grant funds will be used to deliver a training program that focuses on geriatric issues. MSU and CIT will develop a train-the-trainer network that is expected to reach 25 percent of Montana's EMT-First Responders and EMT-Basics through on-site and distance education within the first year. The program will continue in perpetuity.
MSU partners include Extended University, MSU Extension and the Montana Office of Rural Health/Area Health Education Center. Obbink and Nels Sanddal of CIT are the principal investigators.
Contact: Kim Obbink, MSU Extended University, kobbink@montana.edu, (406) 994-6550.
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