Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health workforce
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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3RNET Annual Report 2023-2024
Includes information on accomplishments from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Features statistics on referrals, placements, job postings, and technical assistance.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: 3RNET
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Includes information on accomplishments from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Features statistics on referrals, placements, job postings, and technical assistance.
Date: 05/2025
Sponsoring organization: 3RNET
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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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Rebuilding Maternal Health Access in Western North Carolina: Addressing Critical Gaps Amplified by Hurricane Helene
Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene on maternal health in rural North Carolina. Focuses on maternal healthcare workforce shortages, access issues in isolated areas, maternal morbidity and mortality, rural health disparities, and more. Offers suggestions to improve rural maternal health in North Carolina, including enhancing data collection, strengthening infrastructure and access, and addressing the social determinants of health.
Author(s): Jennifer Runkle, Maggie Sugg
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 86(1)
Date: 04/2025
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Perceived Contributors to Job Quality and Retention at Home Care Cooperatives
Analyzes interviews with 32 home care workers in 5 home care cooperatives to identify perceived factors contributing to low workforce turnover and high job quality. Factors include workplace control, community support, respect, and compensation. Home care cooperatives interviewed include 1 rural cooperative.
Author(s): Geoffrey M. Gusoff, Miguel A. Cuevas, Catherine Sarkisian, et al
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(4)
Date: 04/2025
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Analyzes interviews with 32 home care workers in 5 home care cooperatives to identify perceived factors contributing to low workforce turnover and high job quality. Factors include workplace control, community support, respect, and compensation. Home care cooperatives interviewed include 1 rural cooperative.
Author(s): Geoffrey M. Gusoff, Miguel A. Cuevas, Catherine Sarkisian, et al
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 8(4)
Date: 04/2025
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Physician Workforce in Nevada, 2025
Provides data on the supply and geographic distribution of physicians in Nevada by county, including data on Nevada's rural and frontier counties.
Author(s): Nicole Mwalili, Tabor Griswold, John Packham, et al.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Health Workforce Research Center
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Provides data on the supply and geographic distribution of physicians in Nevada by county, including data on Nevada's rural and frontier counties.
Author(s): Nicole Mwalili, Tabor Griswold, John Packham, et al.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Nevada Health Workforce Research Center
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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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Profile in Innovation: Rural Hospital Participation in Missouri HealthNet's Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) Program
Provides an overview of ToRCH, a Missouri Medicaid program designed to improve health outcomes and overall well-being in rural Missouri communities by addressing both medical and health-related social needs through a comprehensive, integrated care model. Discusses how hospitals, primary care teams, and community-based organizations implemented the model and funding strategy for the program.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Provides an overview of ToRCH, a Missouri Medicaid program designed to improve health outcomes and overall well-being in rural Missouri communities by addressing both medical and health-related social needs through a comprehensive, integrated care model. Discusses how hospitals, primary care teams, and community-based organizations implemented the model and funding strategy for the program.
Date: 04/2025
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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