Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Evaluation methods and resources
Using Implementation Strategies to Promote the Maintenance Of Kids SIPsmartER In Rural Appalachian Middle Schools: A Process Evaluation
Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Examines implementation data from the Kids SIPsmartER nutrition behavioral intervention, which was implemented in 12 rural Appalachian middle schools. Utilizes data from 24 teachers and 11 principals to examine intervention fidelity, delivery, perceptions, and student impact. Discusses the importance of implementation evaluation and the scalability of evidence-based behavioral interventions (EBBIs) in schools.
Author(s): Kathleen J. Porter, Annie L. Reid, Theresa Markwalter, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2324
Date: 07/2025
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Developing an Implementation Fidelity Measure for a Family Healthy Weight Program
Examines strategies to conduct a direct observation method to measure implementation fidelity in a micropolitan/rural community-based family healthy weight program (FHWP). Discusses the process of hiring and training community members as direct observers, utility and quality of this methodology, and potential usefulness of developing an implementation fidelity measure for assessing future programs in rural or geographically dispersed areas.
Author(s): Caitlin A. Golden, Paul A. Estabrooks, Kate A. Heelan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22, 53
Date: 05/2025
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Examines strategies to conduct a direct observation method to measure implementation fidelity in a micropolitan/rural community-based family healthy weight program (FHWP). Discusses the process of hiring and training community members as direct observers, utility and quality of this methodology, and potential usefulness of developing an implementation fidelity measure for assessing future programs in rural or geographically dispersed areas.
Author(s): Caitlin A. Golden, Paul A. Estabrooks, Kate A. Heelan, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 22, 53
Date: 05/2025
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Enhancing Access to Nephrology Care: Telenephrology Dashboard Optimization via Human-Centered Design
Examines how the development of the Telenephrology Dashboard for veterans served by the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) provides improved access to nephrology care and kidney specialists. Describes the methodology used to create and evaluate the dashboard as well as how telehealth tools can serve veterans in predominately rural areas.
Author(s): Melissa Swee, Bharat Kumar, M. Lee Sanders, et al.
Citation: BMC Nephrology, 26, 164
Date: 03/2025
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Examines how the development of the Telenephrology Dashboard for veterans served by the Iowa City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (ICVAHCS) provides improved access to nephrology care and kidney specialists. Describes the methodology used to create and evaluate the dashboard as well as how telehealth tools can serve veterans in predominately rural areas.
Author(s): Melissa Swee, Bharat Kumar, M. Lee Sanders, et al.
Citation: BMC Nephrology, 26, 164
Date: 03/2025
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Measuring Meaningful Outcomes for Adult Hearing Health Interventions: Consensus Study Report
Presents a set of core outcomes and measurements for the evaluation of interventions to address hearing difficulties in adults. See pages 42 and 47-48 for discussion of conditions influencing the prevalence of hearing difficulties in rural areas, rural access to care, and telehealth as a means of providing services in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Presents a set of core outcomes and measurements for the evaluation of interventions to address hearing difficulties in adults. See pages 42 and 47-48 for discussion of conditions influencing the prevalence of hearing difficulties in rural areas, rural access to care, and telehealth as a means of providing services in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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The Development of the Agricultural Producer Barriers to Care Scale (APBCS)
Examines the reliability of the the Agricultural Producer Barriers to Care Scale (APBCS) as an instrument that tests for healthcare access barriers in rural U.S. farmers. Analyzes online survey data from 1,045 respondents across APBCS factors such as formal healthcare challenges, cultural barriers to seeking help, issues with stigma, and evidence of resilience. Discusses potential improvements to the APBCS tool.
Author(s): Noah Hopkins, Chase Reece, Nathan Hansen, Christina Proctor
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12898
Date: 12/2024
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Examines the reliability of the the Agricultural Producer Barriers to Care Scale (APBCS) as an instrument that tests for healthcare access barriers in rural U.S. farmers. Analyzes online survey data from 1,045 respondents across APBCS factors such as formal healthcare challenges, cultural barriers to seeking help, issues with stigma, and evidence of resilience. Discusses potential improvements to the APBCS tool.
Author(s): Noah Hopkins, Chase Reece, Nathan Hansen, Christina Proctor
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12898
Date: 12/2024
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Tracking Implementation Strategies in Real-World Settings: VA Office of Rural Health Enterprise-Wide Initiative Portfolio
Examines implementation strategies of rural health innovations utilizing the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Utilizes 2020-2022 annual reports from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) to analyze 875 implementation strategies. Provides descriptive statistics on strategies utilized, including those focused on rurality benchmarks, and discusses utility of using annual reports to evaluate success of rural health innovations.
Author(s): Heather Schacht Reisinger, Sheila Barron, Erin Balkenende, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14377
Date: 12/2024
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Examines implementation strategies of rural health innovations utilizing the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework. Utilizes 2020-2022 annual reports from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) to analyze 875 implementation strategies. Provides descriptive statistics on strategies utilized, including those focused on rurality benchmarks, and discusses utility of using annual reports to evaluate success of rural health innovations.
Author(s): Heather Schacht Reisinger, Sheila Barron, Erin Balkenende, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 59(S2), e14377
Date: 12/2024
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A Toolkit for Developing Local Multisector Plans for Aging in Rural Areas
Offers 10 steps for developing a master plan for aging with rural focus, covering leadership development, community engagement, implementation planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Highlights rural-specific challenges for aging in rural communities.
Additional links: One Pager
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: The SCAN Foundation
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Offers 10 steps for developing a master plan for aging with rural focus, covering leadership development, community engagement, implementation planning, evaluation, and sustainability. Highlights rural-specific challenges for aging in rural communities.
Additional links: One Pager
Date: 10/2024
Sponsoring organization: The SCAN Foundation
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Conducting Culturally Responsive Evaluation Engagement with Tribal and Native Communities
Analyzes evaluation methods used to track Native or Indigenous Tribal human trafficking programs during their formation, implementation, and maturation phases. Examines how Native or Indigenous Tribal governments and organizations use culturally informed practices to address human trafficking.
Author(s): Ada Pecos Melton, Rita Martinez, Christina Melander, Elizabeth Tibaduiza, Rebecca Pfeffer
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Analyzes evaluation methods used to track Native or Indigenous Tribal human trafficking programs during their formation, implementation, and maturation phases. Examines how Native or Indigenous Tribal governments and organizations use culturally informed practices to address human trafficking.
Author(s): Ada Pecos Melton, Rita Martinez, Christina Melander, Elizabeth Tibaduiza, Rebecca Pfeffer
Date: 09/2024
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families
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Gaps in Communication Theory Paradigms when Conducting Implementation Science Research: Qualitative Observations from Interviews with Administrators, Implementors, and Evaluators of Rural Health Programs
Examines transactional and process communication styles related to implementation and evaluation strategies. Utilizes interviews from 28 evaluators, 12 implementors, and 12 administrators involved in health program initiatives funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Rural Health to evaluate information exchange during communication. Discusses implementation science (IS) constructs in rural health program research.
Author(s): Nicole L. Johnson, Jennifer Van Tiem, Erin Balkenende, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science, 19, 66
Date: 09/2024
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Examines transactional and process communication styles related to implementation and evaluation strategies. Utilizes interviews from 28 evaluators, 12 implementors, and 12 administrators involved in health program initiatives funded by the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Rural Health to evaluate information exchange during communication. Discusses implementation science (IS) constructs in rural health program research.
Author(s): Nicole L. Johnson, Jennifer Van Tiem, Erin Balkenende, et al.
Citation: Implementation Science, 19, 66
Date: 09/2024
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Using a Continuous Quality Improvement Collaborative Approach in Indigenous Contexts: Lessons Learned From Tribal Home Visiting
Examines how a Continuous Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) approach was implemented in Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (THV) programs, focusing on early language and literacy (ELL) and family engagement (FE). Analyzes the THV CQIC approach from 2019 to 2022 to observe implementation, quality improvement, and appropriateness and feasibility of CQIV for Indigenous contexts.
Author(s): Brandie Buckless, Audacity Nadler, Chi Connie Park, Natalie Moyer
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Tribal Evaluation Institute
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Examines how a Continuous Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) approach was implemented in Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (THV) programs, focusing on early language and literacy (ELL) and family engagement (FE). Analyzes the THV CQIC approach from 2019 to 2022 to observe implementation, quality improvement, and appropriateness and feasibility of CQIV for Indigenous contexts.
Author(s): Brandie Buckless, Audacity Nadler, Chi Connie Park, Natalie Moyer
Date: 08/2024
Sponsoring organizations: Administration for Children and Families, Tribal Evaluation Institute
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