Keywords: Learning Health Care Community, rural healthcare, stakeholder engagement, patient-centered care, healthcare innovation

Background:

Rural communities face challenges including workforce shortages, limited access, and health disparities.

Aim of the study:

To address these gaps, we are implementing a Learning HealthCare Community (LHCC) model that integrates continuous learning and data-driven improvements while actively engaging stakeholders. We examine the implementation of the LHCC model in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Methodology:

Implementation science frameworks and a mixed-methods design were employed. Data are collected through surveys, focus groups, and observations. Stakeholders engaged through structured activities and co-design sessions. Capacity-building is supported by our Rural Research Capacity Building Program ( RRCBP) including research training workshops, mentorship, and embedded research opportunities aimed at strengthening local research and decision-making capabilities.

Results:

This research-in-progress is assessing implementation outcomes of the LHCC model, including acceptability, feasibility, adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. Preliminary findings highlight the importance of facilitators like strong digital infrastructure, effective leadership, and community readiness.
Analysis revealed enablers and barriers at multiple levels. For learners, enablers included community-focused research, access to rural physicians as mentors. Barriers included time constraints, heavy workloads, limited research skills and tools, and difficulty developing one-year outcome projects. For rural physicians, challenges included geographic isolation, protected research time, funding access. Enablers include research training, mentorship and peer support through our RRCBP. Systemic issues at the local and national levels included minimal support for rural research and insufficient academic prioritization.
Early results show improved research competencies among rural physicians who participate in RRCBP, with 83.3% reporting increased knowledge, 95.7% reporting improved attitudes, and 80.0% reporting improved skills. Initial observations indicate enhanced research capacity among learners (n =50), the launch of 50 community-driven projects, and 43 publications.

Conclusions:

LHCCs offer a transformative approach to rural healthcare by leveraging technology, collaboration, and evidence-based decision-making. Addressing barriers and strengthening partnerships can enhance healthcare sustainability, providing valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and healthcare practitioners.