The Rural Voices Gathering 2024
Conversations on community driven solutions for rural health and wellness. November 20 – 27, 2024
The Rural Voices Gathering is a province-wide event that unites individuals and groups from rural, remote, First Nations, and chartered Métis communities to share experiences, build connections, and shape the future of health and wellness in British Columbia. While the 2024 event has concluded, the work continues through ongoing community collaborations, ensuring these voices and priorities remain central to meaningful change. Stay tuned for updates on our recent event and for information on community activities as we continue this journey together.
Event Format
The Rural Voices Gathering took place virtually via Zoom on November 20 and 27, 2024, with local, in-person community discussion groups meeting between the virtual sessions.
Virtual Sessions:
On November 20 and 27, participants joined via Zoom from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM PT to engage in dialogue focused on key topics. Both days began with plenary presentations followed by smaller breakout groups. Participants connected with peers from across the province and their surrounding communities, using the Appreciative Dialogue model to discover, dream, design, and deliver rural-based solutions.
In-Person Community Meetings:
Between the virtual sessions, smaller in-person community meetings took place across the province. These gatherings built on discussions from the first virtual session, advancing into the ‘Design’ phase of community-driven solutions for health and wellness.
For more information about the event or how to get involved in future initiatives, you can contact Alice Muirhead at [email protected].
Part 1: Wednesday, November 20 (8:30am – 1:00pm PT)
Part 2: Wednesday, November 27 (8:30am – 1:00pm PT)
Discussion Themes
Participants are asked to consider cultural safety and humility and equity across each of the theme areas. Read more on cultural safety and humility in the context of health.
Health equity exists when all people can reach their full health potential and are not disadvantaged from reaching this potential by their race, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, social class, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation or by the conditions in which they are born, grow, work, and age. Living and working in rural and remote British Columbia should not disadvantage people from reaching their full health potential. (Source: National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health, 2013.)
Transportation for health services
Transportation is a critical determinant of health. Across rural and remote British Columbia, people travel on foot, by car and by ferries, planes, buses and boats to move from one location to another. Affordable, accessible access to these and other modes of transportation can enable health and wellness for people in rural and remote communities.
This theme area is inclusive of all transportation for health and wellness, including but not limited to:
- Out-patient hospital appointments, such as: IV therapy, ambulatory care, diabetes clinic, or x-rays
- Medical appointments, such as doctor, specialist, physiotherapy, or counselling appointments
- Emergency transportation including ambulance and helicopter
- Facility transfer, including moving from one hospital to another
- Community appointments
- Picking up prescriptions
- Vaccinations
- Infant and child services and programs (such as Move with Me; Mother Goose; Early Years)
- Returning home from hospital
Related content:
WATCH: Medicine from the Sky – How Drones are Redefining Rural Healthcare
Selection, education and training for health care providers from rural, remote, First Nations and Métis Chartered Communities
The health sector employs many people, from doctors and nurses to policy makers, care aides and community health workers. Each of these roles is critical to ensuring the health and wellness of rural and remote people and communities. Research and experience show that recruiting students from rural and remote communities increases the chance students will return to these communities to work.
This theme area is inclusive of all education, including grade school, post-secondary and continuing education, and inclusive of all health careers. It also includes student placements in rural and remote areas, medical residencies and practicums.
This theme area includes the education of rural and remote generalists, who are health providers educated and with a scope of practice aligned with community needs.
Selection refers to who is chosen for the limited number of spots in a health program.
Hybrid, relationship-based health care including peer-to-peer virtual support, in-person and virtual patient consultations
Hybrid, relationship-based care refers to a combination of in-person and virtual care. Since 2020 we have seen huge growth in virtual care, including video and phone appointments for patients connecting with health care providers. Relationships remain at the heart of patient-provider interactions when both in-person and virtual care can be used to support these relationships.
Peer-to-peer virtual support refers to health care providers speaking to other health care providers using video, chat or phone. This type of support is particularly valuable to rural and remote communities where a provider may not have colleagues that they can ask for advice. The Real-Time Virtual Support program hosted by RCCbc facilitates these peer-to-peer connections across BC for hundreds of providers.
Related content:
WATCH: The Edge of Care
The Rural and Remote Health Strategy
The BC Ministry of Health commissioned the development of a rural and remote strategy in January 2024. The purpose of this rural and remote strategy is to provide a forward thinking guide to strengthen rurally oriented health plans, policy, and the prioritisation of actions to improve health equity for rural and remote people and their families.
The strategy has been informed by a broad review of the literature and more than 45 formal consultations with rural stakeholders. To date more than 500 people have contributed to this work.
The Strategy is still in development and has not yet been finalised. The Rural Voices Gathering is an important opportunity for individuals to reflect on the Strategy content and share their thoughts before it is finalized at the end of November.
WATCH: Inspiring rural health success stories & more about these themes
Why Attend?
The Rural Voices Gathering is for anyone passionate about improving rural health. Whether you are a community member, healthcare provider, administrator, policymaker, academic, local business, or organization, your voice matters. Together, we can drive meaningful system change that reflects the strengths and needs of our communities, guided by the Partnership Pentagram Plus framework, which brings together diverse perspectives to create holistic solutions.
The idea is to hold space to share and celebrate progress and innovations, moving towards actionable commitments for improved health and wellness as individuals, communities, organizations and governments.
Who Should Be at the Table?
Creating sustainable change requires the voices of all partnership groups. These partnerships are crucial to ensuring the outcomes of this gathering lead to impactful, lasting change across BC’s rural health landscape. The Rural Voices Gathering is open to anyone living, working or providing services to rural and remote communities in BC, including First Nations and Métis Chartered Communities in rural and remote areas.
To ensure all rural voices are given the opportunity to contribute to these important discussions, we encourage you to help spread the word within your community and amongst peers. There is no limit to the number of people who can register and we are keen to hear from multiple perspectives within any one community, group or organization.
Policymakers
Those responsible for creating and implementing health policies that shape the healthcare system.
Who Should Join?
- Government officials
- Legislative body members
- Health policy developers
Why Your Perspective Matters: Policymakers play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of healthcare through legislation and health policies. Your decisions impact funding, regulations, and the strategic direction of healthcare services. Join this group if you are involved in policy-making that affects rural and remote communities.
Health Administrators
Individuals who manage and oversee healthcare services, ensuring they meet the needs of the population.
Who Should Join?
- Healthcare facility managers
- Health service administrators
- Program directors in healthcare settings
Why Your Perspective Matters: Health Administrators ensure that health services are delivered efficiently, effectively, and equitably. If you manage healthcare operations or oversee the delivery of health services, your insights into system management and operational challenges are invaluable.
Healthcare Providers
Physicians, nurses, midwives and healthcare providers who deliver care directly to patients in rural and remote communities in BC, including First Nations and Métis Chartered Communities in rural and remote areas.
Who Should Join?
- Physicians, nurses and midwives
- Shared care providers
- Allied health professionals
Why Your Perspective Matters: Health providers are on the front lines of medical care and have direct contact with patients. Your experiences are critical in shaping practical, patient-centred health solutions. Join this group to share your first hand knowledge of healthcare needs and barriers in rural settings.
Accreditation: Physicians attending this event will be able to claim up to 7.0 Mainpro+® credits.
Academics
Researchers and educators involved in health professions education and the development of evidence-based practices.
Who Should Join?
- University professors in health disciplines
- Health researchers
- Education program developers
Why Your Perspective Matters: Academics provide the research-based backbone for evidence-based practices and innovations in healthcare. If you are involved in health education or research, your perspective can drive improvements in how health education is tailored and delivered in rural and remote contexts.
Community Members
Residents and patients from rural and remote communities in BC, including First Nations and Métis Chartered Communities in rural and remote areas, ensuring their voices are heard and they are actively involved in building community driven solutions.
Who Should Join?
- Residents and patients in rural, remote, First Nations or Métis communities in BC
- Community health foundations and organizations
- Local non-governmental organization leaders
Why Your Perspective Matters: Community members are the most affected by rural health policies and services. Your lived experiences and insights ensure that health solutions are culturally sensitive, relevant, and community-approved. Your voice is essential to ground discussions in reality and ensure that outcomes meet actual needs.
Linked Sectors
Industry and non-profit organizations that support the health system, contributing resources, expertise, and innovation.
Industry Partners
Who Should Join?
- Representatives from sectors like farming, mining, logging, and fishing
- Business owners in rural areas
- Industry leaders impacting rural health
Why Your Perspective Matters: Industry partners influence the economic and social landscapes of rural communities. Your participation is key to integrating industry-specific health concerns and opportunities into broader health initiatives, ensuring that economic activities support rather than hinder community well-being.
Non-profit Organizations
Who Should Join?
- Non-profit health organizations
- Community service providers
- Advocacy groups focusing on rural health
Why Your Perspective Matters: Non-profits often bridge gaps in health services and advocate for underserved populations. Your involvement is crucial in crafting strategies that are inclusive and representative of diverse community needs, leveraging your expertise in service delivery and community engagement.
For more information about the Rural Voices Gathering, please reach out to us at: [email protected]
To reach us by phone, please call: Direct: 1 (604) 738-8222 | Toll-free: 1 (877) 908-8222
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