A new program funded by a $1 million community action grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program is designed to improve care for patients in rural hospitals and clinics who need help managing substance use disorders. The program, known as the Wisconsin Rural Health & Substance Use Clinical Support program, will leverage the strengths of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Hospital Association and Wisconsin Voices for Recovery to provide on-call support and develop training for rural health care providers. Helping these providers recognize and meet patients’ needs before conditions worsen can improve outcomes in rural communities grappling with a rise in substance use and addiction.
