Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health occupations
Characteristics and Trends of Critical Access Hospitals That Own or Operate Ambulance Services
Explores trends in the number of Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based ambulance services between 2017 and 2022. Analyzes Medicare Cost Report data to compare the characteristics of of CAHs that own and operate ambulance services to CAHs that do not. Presents findings from interviews with eight CAH-based ambulance services regarding the challenges of operating these services, including workforce recruitment and retention issues, the role of partnerships and community involvement, and lessons learned.
Author(s): John Gale, Karen Pearson, Rebecca Stearns, Zachariah Croll
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Explores trends in the number of Critical Access Hospital (CAH)-based ambulance services between 2017 and 2022. Analyzes Medicare Cost Report data to compare the characteristics of of CAHs that own and operate ambulance services to CAHs that do not. Presents findings from interviews with eight CAH-based ambulance services regarding the challenges of operating these services, including workforce recruitment and retention issues, the role of partnerships and community involvement, and lessons learned.
Author(s): John Gale, Karen Pearson, Rebecca Stearns, Zachariah Croll
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Reflections of Rural Primary Care Physicians on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural primary care physicians' relationships with patients, other physicians, clinic staff, and their communities via interviews conducted between Oct 2022 and April 2023 with 12 Wisconsin physicians. Discusses elements including challenges in implementing new clinical practices, impacts of beliefs about the pandemic, strategies and coping mechanisms, and availability of staff and other resources.
Author(s): Mary F. Henningfield, Keelin McHugh, Sarina Schrager
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 160
Date: 05/2025
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Describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural primary care physicians' relationships with patients, other physicians, clinic staff, and their communities via interviews conducted between Oct 2022 and April 2023 with 12 Wisconsin physicians. Discusses elements including challenges in implementing new clinical practices, impacts of beliefs about the pandemic, strategies and coping mechanisms, and availability of staff and other resources.
Author(s): Mary F. Henningfield, Keelin McHugh, Sarina Schrager
Citation: BMC Primary Care, 26, 160
Date: 05/2025
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Arkansas's Shifting Rural-Urban Divide: Healthcare Access Issues
Provides data on shortages of primary care physicians and dentists in rural and urban areas in Arkansas, and discusses high vulnerability to closure among rural hospitals in the state.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
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Provides data on shortages of primary care physicians and dentists in rural and urban areas in Arkansas, and discusses high vulnerability to closure among rural hospitals in the state.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
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Experiences of U.S. Frontline Physicians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Examines physician experiences during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes focus group and interview feedback from 17 frontline physicians related to patient care, with a focus on adaptations, challenges, and acute stressors. Includes discussion about healthcare barriers specific to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Robin L. Whitney, Melissa Gosdin, Sabrina F. Loureiro, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 83, 122
Date: 05/2025
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Examines physician experiences during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizes focus group and interview feedback from 17 frontline physicians related to patient care, with a focus on adaptations, challenges, and acute stressors. Includes discussion about healthcare barriers specific to rural and remote areas.
Author(s): Robin L. Whitney, Melissa Gosdin, Sabrina F. Loureiro, et al.
Citation: Archives of Public Health, 83, 122
Date: 05/2025
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The Evolution and Promise of Age-Friendly Ecosystems in Rural Communities
Notes the challenges of aging in rural communities and highlights the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative (NRAFI) by the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation. NRAFI works to promote cross-sector collaboration to address those common challenges. Describes the NRAFI's work to date in creating and disseminating information, training community health workers, and building a networking infrastructure to facilitate collaboration.
Author(s): Rebecca Yeboah, Laura B. Hudson, K. Piper Martin
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Society on Aging
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Notes the challenges of aging in rural communities and highlights the National Rural Age-Friendly Initiative (NRAFI) by the National Rural Health Association and The John A. Hartford Foundation. NRAFI works to promote cross-sector collaboration to address those common challenges. Describes the NRAFI's work to date in creating and disseminating information, training community health workers, and building a networking infrastructure to facilitate collaboration.
Author(s): Rebecca Yeboah, Laura B. Hudson, K. Piper Martin
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Society on Aging
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Virginia's Assisted Living Facility Administrator Workforce: 2025
An overview of the assisted living facility administrator (ALFA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Assisted Living Facility Administrator Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of ALFAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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An overview of the assisted living facility administrator (ALFA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Assisted Living Facility Administrator Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of ALFAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Virginia's Nursing Home Administrator Workforce: 2025
An overview of the nursing home administrator (NHA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Nursing Home Administrator Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of NHAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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An overview of the nursing home administrator (NHA) workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Nursing Home Administrator Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of NHAs in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Taking to the Skies: How a Doctor Cares for Patients in Rural Colorado
Discusses using air travel to help physicians reach remote areas in Colorado and patients who need critical medical care.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Discusses using air travel to help physicians reach remote areas in Colorado and patients who need critical medical care.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Virginia's Optometrist Workforce: 2025
An overview of the optometrist workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Optometrist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of optometrists in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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An overview of the optometrist workforce in Virginia based on data from the 2025 Optometrist Workforce Survey. Features statistics including the number of optometrists in rural Virginia and how many grew up in rural areas.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Department of Health Professions
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Utah Physician and Osteopathic Physician Workforce Data Report
Report details the education, recruitment, and retention of Utah's physician and osteopathic physician workforce. Discusses supply and demand, demographics, geographic distribution, practice characteristics, projected supply and demand, and specialty profiles including primary care and specialty care.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Utah Department of Health and Human Services
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Report details the education, recruitment, and retention of Utah's physician and osteopathic physician workforce. Discusses supply and demand, demographics, geographic distribution, practice characteristics, projected supply and demand, and specialty profiles including primary care and specialty care.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Utah Department of Health and Human Services
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