Overview:

The Rural & Community Psychiatry Network of New Mexico (RCPNNM) is comprised of 60+ community and rural psychiatrists from around the state.  The RCPNNM is open to anyone wanting to engage in open and honest discussions and networking regarding New Mexico’s unique community and rural psychiatric challenges and opportunities.

Key topics areas and issues that the RCPNNM has identified are:

• Advocacy for individuals served by rural and community psychiatrists;
• Opportunities to share information and network in a non-clinical atmosphere;
• Mutual assistance in problem-solving administrative issues;
• Linking rural and community psychiatrists to resources outside of their practice area(s); and
• Serving as a resource for other physicians and primary care providers.

History:

In April 2005, with support of the Psychiatric Medical Association of New Mexico, the NM Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative, the NM Department of Health/Behavioral Health Services Division, and the UNM Psychiatry Department, psychiatrists from around the state were invited to Albuquerque to take part in a two-day forum to discuss and conceptualize a network for psychiatrists in community and rural-based practices.  From that first meeting, regularly scheduled conference calls, an annual spring meeting, an on-going list-serve/discussions, and increased interest and support for the RCPNNM has grown.

The Future:

RCPNNM is well-established to assist and support an increase in the quality and consistency of psychiatric care for rural and frontier New Mexicans by creating a network that facilitates the recruitment, retention and support of rural/frontier providers throughout New Mexico.  RCPNNM can:

• Facilitate the development of linkages between rural/frontier psychiatrists to encourage the circulation of approaches to treatment and training that resound most strongly in rural/frontier populations, including the implementation of “best practices";
• Develop professional support systems and communication networks to mitigate provider isolation; and
• Connect existing psychiatric service providers in rural/frontier and urban areas and organizations in need of psychiatric services.

If you are interesting in participating in the RCPNNM or would like to speak with a network member in your area, contact: 

Laura Kesselman:  (505) 266-3451; laura@kessjones.com