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Office of Health Research & Partnership

Research & Evaluation

The University of Montana Office of Health Research & Partnerships approaches research & evaluation through a collaborative, data-informed, and community-responsive framework. Our strategy integrates implementation science with healthcare research and evaluation to advance health outcomes, build regional capacity, and drive innovation across Montana’s health ecosystem.

Healthcare Research & Program Evaluation

As a central leader in Montana’s health workforce innovation ecosystem, UM OHRP:

  • Conducts Applied Research: We study healthcare and healthcare workforce needs and trends, particularly in rural and underserved areas, including provider shortages, licensure barriers, and training gaps.

  • Leads Impact Evaluation: Through mixed-method evaluations and implementation science frameworks, OHRP assesses program effectiveness, identifies best practices, and captures return on investment for workforce initiatives.

  • Promotes Data-Driven Policy and Practice: Findings are translated into actionable insights that influence state workforce planning, educational programming, and funding priorities.

  • Develops Competency-Based Frameworks: UM OHRP supports the design of micro-credential and apprenticeship models that align with industry standards and real-world performance metrics.

Montana Healthcare Workforce Interactive Dashboard

The OHRP provides up-to-date healthcare workforce data to improve recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in Montana.

Current Research & Evaluation Projects

  • The OHRP is studying Missoula College's LPN-to-RN Bridge Program and how well it 1) increases access to an accelerated, online ASN program; 2) increases the number of practicing RNs in rural Montana; 3) increases the number of AI/AN nurses in Montana; and 4) enhances the types of community-based clinical training sites in rural Montana.

  • The OHRP is evaluating the Rural Healthcare Career Pathways Program's ability to 1) to increase the number of high school health science career and technical education programs in Western Montana; 2) implementation of a fully aligned high school, postsecondary, and workforce programs through a comprehensive health science career pathway; 3) increase the number of rural students participating in healthcare work-based experiences; and 4) to increase the number of rural students participating in health science dual-enrollment courses.

  • A qualitative research study that utilizes a micro-narrative framework to identify and understand factors that motivate healthcare providers to practice in rural Montana. This study uses a two-step approach in which participants share short stories that explain why they decided to practice in rural Montana and why they have stayed there. Then participants self-identify themes and factors to reduce researcher bias during data analysis. Then a small group of participants is selected for follow-up semi-structured interviews to further understand the motivating factors. The following data will be collected:

    1. Healthcare Profession
    2. Zip code where practicing
    3. Reasons why providers choose to practice in rural Montana
    4. Reasons why the providers stay practicing in rural Montana
    5. Did the provider grow up and/or train in a rural area

Past Research & Evaluation Projects