Expanding models for rural primary care in West Virginia.

This review paper outlines current and newer rural healthcare organizational models to improve availability and access to healthcare services for our state's large rural population. Included in the review are several suggested models for addressing rural healthcare needs: (a) the rural interdisciplinary medical home model; (b) the spoke and wheel model; (c) medical center/community linkages; (d) technology-based outreach modalities, such as tele-health; (e) part-time physician care and (f) expanding the role of health education centers to improve rural primary care. The overall goal is to stimulate exploration, funding and adoption of some of these models and advocate novel methods of addressing and reducing healthcare disparities in rural West Virginia.