To investigate differences in the experiences of rural versus non-rural clinicians, we surveyed caregivers in New Mexico and Alaska regarding ethical aspects of care provision. Consistent with past literature, rural compared to non-rural clinicians perceived patients as having less access to health care resources. They reported more interaction with patients and less awkwardness in relationships with their patients outside of work. Rural clinicians also reported their patients expressed more concern about knowing them in both personal and professional roles, had more concerns over confidentiality, and experienced more embarrassment concerning stigmatizing illnesses. Ethical issues and implications of these results for providing care in rural areas are discussed.

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Scientific literacy is a key skill for college students. Flipped classroom techniques provide useful tools for students to learn material outside of the classroom to be applied during class time. In this study, students were assigned homework that entailed watching two video podcasts that explained the process for finding and reading peer-reviewed journal articles. Students then completed a survey corresponding to each video podcast asking about the effectiveness of the video podcast and their satisfaction with the perceived knowledge and skills they learned. In class, students worked in groups to practice the skills taught in the video. One hundred and six students completed both surveys. The results indicate that the students found the video podcasts very helpful in finding and reading the articles (89% Finding, 92% Reading). The students believed that watching the video podcasts would help them complete the in-class assignment (92%), that the information would be useful for other classes (90%), and that they preferred watching (and rewatching) the video podcasts on their own time instead of during class time (52%). The flipped classroom methodologies, specifically video podcasts, provide a formative tool for delivering visual instruction of how students can acquire skills in scientific literacy.

Home health caregivers provide a vital role in allowing people to age in place. Women, and in particular immigrant women, have become the largest provider of home health care in Western Industrialized Countries. Global push-pull factors affecting caregivers were greatly disrupted with the emergence of the global pandemic – COVID-19. The pandemic highlighted how fragile the system is and how the easily the ‘grey economy’ can be compromised. This research looks at border access, immigration restrictions and other factors which impeded the migration of caregivers. Poor countries suffered greatly with restrictions on exporting women who use cross national moves as a means to generate income for families in their homeland, and rich countries faced extreme shortages. The results were devastating for all parties – caregivers and care recipients alike.

Throughout our lifespan we experience the culture of our families and communities. Our cultural selves guide our understanding of health and illness. However the health care system often ignores our culture in the delivery of care. This can have devastating effects on individuals and particularly the elderly. This presentation reviews a case study of a tribally owned and operated nursing home. The emphasis on maintaining cultural activities, feasting on traditional foods, offering sacred practices led to high satisfaction of the health care experience by residents and staff. Creating this environment was difficult and barriers in culturally responsive care delivery will also be discussed.