Alaska's primary care industry: addressing health needs throughout the state.

• Author: Ellis-Knapp, Jody
• Position: HEALTH & MEDICINE

Primary care access is a hot topic not only in Alaska but also around the country. Because Alaska's small population is spread across a wide and sometimes inaccessible range of space, providing care and accessibility to care can be even more of a challenge here. Various entities around the state work to bring providers and patients together, from remote villages to within the city limits.

One of the biggest proponents of primary care in Alaska is the Alaska Primary Care Association. Started in 1995, its goal is to ensure the availability of health care to people throughout the state, making medical underservice a thing of the past. Today, the association includes 25 organizations employing almost 1,000 people, operating in more than 140 sites across Alaska via Community Health Center programs. Shelley Hughes, the government affairs director of Alaska Primary Care Association, says their focus is serving more patients for less.

"APCA provides vital services and technical assistance to support members in offering quality, cost-effective care," she says. "We also assist communities in accessing grant and foundation funds, providing support and technical assistance as they grow."

In regard to Alaska's location possibly making access more difficult, Hughes says, "Recruitment of providers is more challenging in Alaska, mainly due to the remoteness and weather, as well as professional isolation."

Challenges continue in making sure there is a high enough ratio of providers in Bush locations, as the distance to other facilities can be daunting.

"We do have the advantage of a small state population," she says. "So if we put our heads together and are willing to collaborate, we can make headway on issues such as improving immunization rates, managing diabetes and keeping people out of the emergency room for routine care."

MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM

The issue of finding primary care physicians has been partially resolved by a program at Providence Health & Services Alaska, the Alaska Family Medicine Residency program. This program provides residents the opportunity to practice in Anchorage, as well as stints in rural areas. The program is the brainchild of Dr. Harold Johnston, who has been an integral part of the creation and continued growth of the program.

"I was born and raised in Anchorage, and when I returned here after finishing my training, I started working at the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center," he says. "I began to realize Anchorage...