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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Geographic Access to Health Care for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in Five States: An Update
Describes the provider mix caring for rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries in Alaska, Idaho, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Washington, using 2014 data. Examines the quality of care, number of annual visits, and the distances traveled for treatment of several conditions. Compares 2014 data with estimates from 1998, to assess the changes in geographical access to care. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, large rural, small rural, and isolated rural locations.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Rural and Urban Hospital Characteristics by Obstetric Service Provision Status, 2010-2018
Illustrates the differences between urban and rural hospitals providing obstetric (OB) services. Compares them by size, capacity, location, and community characteristics, and compares these factors between rural hospitals with OB units and those that had discontinued services during the study period. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban and rural location.
Additional links: Characteristics of Rural and Urban U.S. Hospitals Based on Obstetric Services
Author(s): Julia D. Interrante, Lindsay K. Admon, Mariana S. Tuttle, Bridget Basile Ibrahim, Katy B. Kozhimannil
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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States Work to Support Rural Hospitals Despite Pandemic Challenges
Blog post highlighting state-level policies to address and prevent rural hospital closures. Discusses proposals in state legislatures regarding alternative payment methodologies and funding, service delivery models, and the recruitment and retention of a rural healthcare workforce.
Author(s): Beth Giambrone
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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Strengthening Primary Care and Improving Population Health: Nebraska's Approach
Explores efforts to strengthen primary care in Nebraska through Patient-Centered Medical Homes, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus program. Discusses the development of pilot programs and a partnership with a local nonprofit and the University of Nebraska College of Public Health.
Author(s): Martha Hostetter, Sarah Klein
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: Milbank Memorial Fund
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Addressing Opioid-Related Outcomes Among Individuals With Co-Occurring Behavioral Health Conditions: An Environmental Scan of Quality Measures
Presents the results of an environmental scan of healthcare quality measures relevant to addressing polysubstance use among individuals with co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Includes information on access to buprenorphine providers in rural communities.
Date: 04/2021
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum
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Virtual Care Expansion in the Veterans Health Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Clinical Services and Patient Characteristics Associated with Utilization
Presents results of a study of virtual care use in the Veterans Health Administration during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports statistics for previous and current virtual care use, method of care delivery, and type of care. Compares demographic groups, including urban, rural, and highly rural veterans, and identifies factors associated with virtual care use.
Author(s): Jacqueline M Ferguson, Josephine Jacobs, Maria Yefimova, et al
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(3), 453-462
Date: 03/2021
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Predicting Hospital Choice for Rural Residents Seeking Elective Surgery
Webinar summarizing research on patient choice in elective surgery. Discusses the impact of patient choice on rural hospital financial viability, patient and hospital factors impacting choice, and opportunities for further research. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Arizona Primary Care Needs Assessment
Analyzes data related to health outcomes and access to primary care in Arizona. Identifies communities with the greatest unmet healthcare needs and describes current efforts in the areas of health disparities, workforce programs, community development, and shortage designations. Designed to help stakeholders with community-level health planning and grant writing. Includes references to rural throughout.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Arizona Department of Health Services
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Expanding Access to Methadone Treatment in Ohio Through Federally Qualified Health Centers and a Chain Pharmacy: A Geospatial Modeling Analysis
Examines the provision of methadone at opioid treatment programs (OTP) in Ohio. Compares how well existing OTPs meet the need for opioid use disorder treatment by urban-rural classification. Explores how expanding methadone administration to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) could expand access to OUD treatment in urban and rural areas.
Author(s): Suzan Iloglu, Paul J. Joudrey, Emily A. Wong, Thomas A. Thornhill, Gregg Gonsalves
Citation: Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 220, 108534
Date: 03/2021
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2021 Idaho Primary Care Needs Assessment
Identifies Idaho communities with the greatest unmet healthcare needs, disparities, and healthcare workforce shortages, and discusses key barriers to accessing preventive and primary care services. Includes sections on Health Professional Shortage Areas, Medically Underserved Areas and Populations, the Idaho State Loan Repayment Program, the Rural Physician Incentive Program, primary care educational opportunities, and advanced medical training programs in Idaho. Features maps showing urban, rural, and frontier areas, locations of Rural Health Clinics, and locations of Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Alex Prado
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Bureau of Rural Health and Primary Care
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