The Rural Health Services Research Network of BC (RHSRNbc) was established in May 2010, as part of an overall strategy to improve and expand health services research within British Columbia. The RHSRNbc is built upon the BC Rural and Remote Network (BCRRHRN), which was supported by the Michael Smith Foundation from 2005 to 2010. When a new funder was secured in 2010, the network was re-established under the direction of Dr. Stefan Grzybowski, which became the RHSRNbc. The RHSRNbc is now supported by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc), through the Joint Standing Committee (JSC), which is funded through B.C.’s Ministry of Health and B.C.’s Medical Association. The Network strives to build upon experiences learnt from the pre-existing Network, while striving to generate innovative ideas and strategies to build capacity within both the Network as well as within rural health services research. The RHSRNbc’s main purpose is to support rural health services’ researchers in British Columbia, with the goal of creating a supportive infrastructure with in which to facilitate the investigation of issues relevant to the health and health services of rural communities. The RHSRNbc takes a multi-faceted approach to supporting and facilitating rural health services research. Not only do we maintain an up to date website to inform members of any available grants, upcoming conferences and symposiums but we also host skill building workshops, knowledge translation events and hold travel bursary competitions in order to ensure our members are prepared for and successful in the realm of rural health services research.
