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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Farm Families in Times of Economic Distress
Offers strategies to support development and integration of behavioral health services across healthcare and community-based organizations, including leveraging payment systems to support coordinated care for farm families and aligning federal grant programs to address mental health and substance use disorders. Features recommendations including integrating primary and behavioral care for initial treatment of mental health and substance abuse concerns, expanding the workforce to improve rural behavioral health services capacity, increasing telehealth services, and expanding private and public insurance coverage.
Author(s): Andrew F. Coburn, Alva O. Ferdinand, Alana Knudson, et al.
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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A New Era of Health Literacy? Expanded Definitions, Digital Influences, and Rural Perspectives
Explores rural challenges to accessing health information that is clear and usable, with insights from experts. Describes recently expanded definitions of health literacy. Discusses digital health literacy and the importance of broadband access and digital health tools for rural residents.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Serious Mental Illness and Mental Health Treatment Utilization among Adults Residing in Non-Metropolitan and Metropolitan Counties
Results of a national study to estimate and compare the prevalence of serious mental illness and mental health treatment utilization, and reasons for not seeking mental health treatment among adults residing in non-metropolitan and metropolitan counties. Features statistics with breakdowns by metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
Author(s): Tyrone F. Borders, Timothy Williams
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
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Assessing Factors Associated with Social Connectedness in Adults with Mobility Disabilities
Examines social connectedness among people with mobility disabilities using National Survey on Health and Disability data from October 2019 to January 2020. Identifies factors associated with social activity, social isolation, and loneliness among people with mobility disabilities, and makes comparisons among people with mobility disabilities and non-mobility disabilities. Includes comparisons of rural and urban populations.
Author(s): Jean P. Hall, Noelle K. Kurth, Kelsey S. Goddard
Citation: Disability and Health Journal, 15(1) Suppl., 101206
Date: 01/2022
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"I was Unsure at First": A Qualitative Evaluation of Patient Perceptions of VA Clinical Video Telehealth Visits in the V-IMPACT Program
Features a study evaluating a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) program using video-based telehealth to expand access to primary care to rural veterans. Draws conclusions based on interviews with patients who utilized the program.
Author(s): Ashley C Mog, Megan Moldestad, Rachael Kenney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Patient Experience, 9
Date: 01/2022
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A Pilot Study Examining Access to and Satisfaction with Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment via Telemedicine
Highlights a study on the role telemedicine plays in increasing access to mental health and substance use treatment for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. The study received a high percentage of participants from rural areas and breaks down the demographic data by rural, as well as several other factors such as age, race, and diagnosis, to name a few.
Author(s): Constance Guille, Emily Johnson, Edie Douglas, et al.
Citation: Telemedicine Reports, 3(1), 24-29
Date: 01/2022
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Geographic Disparities in Access to Specialty Care Programs for Early Psychosis in Washington State
Presents a study on the accessibility by neighborhood characteristics to mental health services in areas served by the Community Mental Health Block grant in Washington State. Compares neighborhood characteristics by metropolitan, micropolitan, and rural/small town areas, such as the rate of African American and Hispanic residents, the rate of population aged 15-40, and the rate of socioeconomic neighborhood deprivation.
Author(s): Oladunni Oluwoye, Solmaz Amiri, Gordon Kordas, et al.
Citation: Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 49, 5-12
Date: 01/2022
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Telemedicine Access and Utilization among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries with Behavioral and Musculoskeletal Health Conditions
Examines access to care and telemedicine use by adult Medicaid beneficiaries with behavioral health and musculoskeletal conditions in North Carolina based on state Medicaid claims data from March 2019 to March 2021. Covers changes in rates of telemedicine use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers rural and urban data on telemedicine use in addition to other characteristics in the appendix tables.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Margolis Center for Health Policy
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Telemedicine Access and Utilization among Pediatric Medicaid Beneficiaries with Behavioral Health and Musculoskeletal Conditions
Data brief examining access to care and telemedicine use by pediatric Medicaid beneficiaries with behavioral health and musculoskeletal conditions in North Carolina based on state Medicaid claims data from March 2019-March 2021. Covers changes in rates of telemedicine use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers rural and urban data on telemedicine use in the appendix tables.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: Margolis Center for Health Policy
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Prenatal Telemedicine During COVID-19: Patterns of Use and Barriers to Access
Study examining patient experiences with prenatal telemedicine based on a survey of 164 pregnant patients at a rural New England medical center. Covers barriers to accessing care, internet access, remote surveillance tools, and engagement with providers.
Author(s): Allie Morgan, Daisy Goodman, Julia Vinagolu-Baur, Ilana Cass
Citation: JAMIA Open, 5(1)
Date: 01/2022
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