The Mission of the Gateway Rural Health Institute

Statistics suggest that the prevalence of maladies, medical conditions and probability for medical conditions exist more intensely in rural areas, yet no noteworthy studies have been directed primarily to the sector.

A group of residents and healthcare professionals in a rural Ontario community in Huron County propose to create a centre to research healthcare issues in rural populations, the first community-driven rural research centre in Canada. Most of healthcare-related research conducted in Canada and elsewhere is based on results of surveys taken of test populations close to large urban medical centres of learning or practice, with projections of results for rural sector populations. The research centre to be created will have synergy in its chosen location, Seaforth Ontario, a town in the Municipality of Huron East.

Among its community-driven initiatives in healthcare, Seaforth is home to a community-governed Family Health Team, a regional Community Care Access Centre, a medical clinic, a hospital allianced with five others in the region, the award-winning Healthkick initiative that is focused on physician and medical professional recruitment, and a Registered Practical Nurse training extension program conducted by an Ontario community college. It has just completed construction of a 12,000 sq ft medical centre. It is also located in the initial study area of Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce.

Initial funding has been committed by a private foundation to attract a noted medical physician and researcher specialising in cardiovascular and ateriosclerotic issues.

This business case outlines the genesis of the project, its achievable plans and aspirations, and its objectives to promote healthcare in a population and geographic sector (the counties of Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce, then provincially and nationally) not well under study or documented. A comprehensive marketing plan tailored to rural areas is planned to communicate the aims and purposes of the research programs to residents and the broader public to benefit researchers, physicians and public.

Benefits of the program are multi-faceted. Local rural physicians will be engaged in supportive and collegial modes and will benefit from opportunities to study issues they themselves identify in their practices. Pharmaceutical firms will benefit from test beds for medications in a regime of clients, prescribers and pharmacists who are eager to participate and easily monitored. The sponsoring and surrounding communities will benefit by active participation in community-driven research. The provincial health ministry will benefit by improved delivery of care to rural populations.

Results of the community-driven research programs will be shared broadly and without reservation to all researchers interested in rural health issues. Rural-based students and volunteers will benefit from training programs in medical investigation and analysis.

The vision of the proponents is to make a measurable impact on the research affecting and healthcare of residents in rural communities, in Ontario and elsewhere.