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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Geographic Residency Status and Census Tract Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of Colorectal Cancer Outcomes
Presents a study on colorectal cancer outcomes for patients in rural, suburban, and urban areas of Georgia from 2000-2007. Analyzes patient data by their geographic area; whether they were of upper, middle, or lower socioeconomic status; and whether they were treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy.
Author(s): Robert Hines, Talar Markossian, Asal Johnson, Frank Dong, Rana Bayakly
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 104(3), e63-e71
Date: 03/2014
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Barriers to Primary Care Physicians Prescribing Buprenorphine
Reports on a study of physicians in the State of Washington who participated in a Rural Opioid Addiction Management Project on the use of buprenorphine-naloxone in the treatment of opioid use disorders. Study determined the percentage of physicians who prescribed this treatment, the characteristics associated with the prescribing physicians, the number of patients treated, and the barriers found when integrating this treatment into their outreach practice.
Author(s): Eliza Hutchinson, Mary Catlin, C. Holly A. Andrilla, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 12(2), 128-133
Date: 03/2014
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Health Insurance Coverage of Low-Income Rural Children Increases and Is More Continuous Following CHIP Implementation
Compares insurance coverage of low-income children before and after the passage of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), with rural/urban comparisons. Addresses the uninsurance rate and health insurance continuity for low-income children in rural areas over time using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller
Date: 03/2014
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Rural Veterans: A Special Concern for Rural Health Advocates
Policy brief describing the special healthcare needs of rural veterans. Offers policy recommendations to address these issues. Covers access to primary care, specialty care, physical therapy, women's health services, and mental health services focusing on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Author(s): J. Alison Alfers, Hilda R. Heady
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Do Rural Patients with Early-Stage Prostate Cancer Gain Access to All Treatment Choices?
Compares prostate cancer treatment options and treatment rates for early-stage prostate cancer patients living in rural and urban areas in 10 states. Includes 4 levels of rurality in the analysis, along with patient demographics, cancer characteristics, and provider access.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Laura-Mae Baldwin, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Michael P. Porter, et al.
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Ecology of Health Care: The Need to Address Low Utilization in American Indians/Alaska Natives
Compares the self-reported health of the American Indian/Alaska Native population and their use of healthcare services to the rest of the U.S. population. Discusses potential reasons for disparities.
Author(s): Elise A.G. Duwe, Stephen Petterson, Claire Gibbons, Andrew Bazemore
Citation: American Family Physician, 89(3), 217-218
Date: 02/2014
Sponsoring organization: Robert Graham Center
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Clinical, Sociodemographic and Service Provider Determinants of Guideline Concordant Colorectal Cancer Care for Appalachian Residents
Presents a study of Appalachian colorectal cancer patients diagnosed between 2006-2008 regarding their adherence to treatment guidelines by measuring rates of chemotherapy, lymph node assessment, and radiation treatments. Breaks down results by participants' age, race, and type and severity of comorbidity, as well as several treatment facility factors, such as bed size and surgical volume, among others.
Author(s): Steven T. Fleming, Heath B. Mackley, Fabian Camacho, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 30(1), 27-39
Date: 01/2014
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Health Care Avoidance Among Rural Populations: Results From a Nationally Representative Survey
Presents secondary analysis of questions from the 2008 Health Information Trends Study (HINTS) relating to healthcare avoidance that breaks down socio-demographic and economic data to better understand factors leading to avoidant behaviors. Compares data from metropolitan, urban/suburban, and rural populations.
Author(s): Angela M. Spleen, Eugene J. Lengerich, Fabian T. Camacho, Robin C. Vanderpool
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 30(1), 79-88
Date: 01/2014
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Access to Chemotherapy Services by Availability of Local and Visiting Oncologists
Identifies the significant factors associated with choice of provider, cancer treatment, and the travel time affecting access for rural residents in Iowa.
Author(s): Marcia M. Ward, Fred Ullrich, Kevin Matthews, et al.
Citation: Journal of Oncology Practice, 10(1), 26-31
Date: 01/2014
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Assessing the Feasibility of a Virtual Tumor Board Program: A Case Study
Examines the feasibility of a Virtual Tumor Board (VTB) program connecting rural community clinicians to the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center (UNC LCCC) tumor board. Analyzes the individual clinical participants to explore their experiences with the VTB. Includes a summary of data collection methods, coding of interview data, and UNC tumor board participant survey results.
Author(s): Christopher M. Shea, Randall Teal, Lindsey Haynes-Maslow, et al.
Citation: Journal of Healthcare Management, 59(3), 177-193
Date: 2014
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