The Idaho Office of Underserved and Rural Medical Research (IOURMR)
Making an impact on medical care through rural health research
(IOURMR: pronunciation = I·aar·mr)
The Idaho Office of Underserved and Rural Medical Research (IOURMR) is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of underserved and rural communities across Idaho. Through groundbreaking research, medical education programs and collaborative partnerships, we connect University of Idaho students, health care professionals and researchers with opportunities to advance medical knowledge, address health care disparities and ensure high-quality care for the people who need it most.
IOURMR publications
Who we are
Mission
Our mission is to improve the health of Idaho’s underserved and rural communities through the purposeful integration of medical education, research and service to advance clinical practice and patient care in our state.
IOURMR was built on four pillars: research and evaluation, Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) Idaho, The North Idaho Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and the Office of Continuing Education.
Vision
We aspire to serve Idaho communities by expanding health care access, enhancing care quality and reducing inequities to improve the quality of life for all Idahoans. We aim to work from a perspective informed by the experiences, needs and goals of Idaho’s rural/frontier and underserved communities. We seek to meet the health care needs of our rural/frontier and underserved communities using a multifaceted approach:
- Support recruitment, training and retention of outstanding health care providers.
- Enhance quality of care and health outcomes through education and research.
- Reduce feelings of isolation and improve the professional quality of life for Idaho’s health care providers.
- Reduce health disparities experienced in Idaho’s rural and frontier communities through innovative uses of technology, the utilization of practice-based mentoring and research networks, and increased communication and transparency of research and policy outcomes.
Core principles
- To increase access to evidence-based contemporary health care in Idaho’s rural and underserved communities.
- To study the impact of education and policies that affect health care access and quality to meet the needs of Idaho’s rural and underserved residents and communities.
- To conduct research to inform health care education, the advancement of clinical practice and the development of policy to benefit Idaho’s underserved and rural communities.
- To diminish health care inequities across Idaho’s rural/frontier and underserved communities while improving the quality of life of these Idaho residents.
- To educate policymakers about the impact of our efforts on the Idaho communities we serve.
- To support U of I’s School of Health and Medical Professions (SHAMP) initiatives to develop and retain a robust health care workforce in Idaho.
How we’re supporting the next generation of health care leaders
We seek to empower future physicians and health care professionals with specialized training and resources that improve patient care in the most vulnerable communities.
Outreach programs
With initiatives like Project ECHO Idaho and North Idaho AHEC, we bring advanced education, training and mentorship opportunities to health care providers statewide.
Research symposium
Our annual research symposium showcases the latest findings and fosters collaboration among medical professionals and researchers committed to rural health improvement.
Stories of impact and partnership
Through innovative research and strategic partnerships, IOURMR is shaping the future of health in rural Idaho. Explore our success stories and see how our work is making a difference.
Contribute to the future of rural health care
Whether you’re a prospective student, a health care professional or interested in rural health research, your involvement can make a lasting difference. Join University of Idaho and the Idaho Office of Underserved and Rural Medical Research in our mission.