Mentored Implementation

Historically, the Office of Rural Health (ORH) provided seed funding for innovative local projects that sought to address rural Veterans’ health care and access issues. Building on the findings of this work, ORH identified projects that showed significant impact based on select criteria. These proven models of care—known as Rural Mentored Implementations (RMI) —are now being implemented nationwide.

Mentored implementation is accomplished when ORH and VRHRC project managers work with subject matter experts to assist U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sites across the country in adopting RMIs. This assistance may include training, ongoing technical consultation, and initial funding. These programs:

• Increase access to care and services for rural Veterans and their families in the communities where they live
• Share clinical and operational knowledge among health care delivery professionals who serve rural Veterans
• Mentor program champions so they can successfully implement these strong practices
• Contribute to long-term improvements in the rural health care delivery system

RMIs are nominated through the Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers (VRHRCs) and undergo a rigorous review to earn the "ORH Rural Mentored Implementation" designation. A third-party objective review ensures the nominated project meets the six RMI criteria:

• Increased Access – The approach brings about measurable increases in access to care or services, for example, by reducing wait time or missed appointments.
• Strong Partnerships – The approach creates partnerships and maximizes efficiency.
• Clinical Impact – Results of the approach are proven and positive on the health of rural Veterans.
• Return on Investment – The approach reduces the per capita costs of delivering care or services, while maintaining or improving outcomes.
• Operational Feasibility – Implementation of the approach is feasible and strategies for success can easily be shared.
• Customer Satisfaction – The approach demonstrates Veteran, provider, partner, and caregiver satisfaction.

VRHRC staff provide mentored implementation to help new sites establish the program through training, supporting documents, ongoing technical consultation and initial funding through ORH.