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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Healthcare needs and services

Trends in and Factors Associated with Family Physician-Performed Screening Colonoscopies in the United States: 2016-2021
Examines factors and trends related to family physician (FP)-performed colonoscopy screenings. Analyzes 2016-2021 insurance claims data from 2,943,900 qualified colonoscopies, with data breakdowns according to patient demographics, accrued charges, region, and urban-rural classification, including large central metro, large fringe metro, medium metro, small metro, micropolitan, and noncore. Discusses the impact of FP-performed colonoscopy screenings for certain populations, including rural.
Author(s): Nicholas Edwardson, David van der Goes, V. Shane Pankratz, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1)
Date: 2025
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Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine for Sepsis Is Used Less Frequently in Communities with High Social Vulnerability
Examines the relationship between provider-to-provider emergency department-based telehealth consultation (tele-ED) and the prevalence of sepsis in counties with elevated social vulnerability index (SVI) scores. Analyzes 2016-2019 data from 1191 patients treated in rural, Midwestern EDs, with breakdowns according to patient, provider, hospital, and county characteristics. Discusses the relationship between SVI scores and tele-ED use.
Author(s): Kevin J. Tu, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Uche E. Okoro, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12861
Date: 2025
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The Implementation Climate for Integrating Buprenorphine Prescribing into Rural Primary Care
Examines the climate in rural primary care settings to expand buprenorphine access for opioid use disorder (OUD). Analyzes interview feedback from primary care practitioners in rural Ohio regarding issues such as OUD treatment prioritization, compatibility of buprenorphine prescriptions in primary care settings, and buprenorphine access shortages.
Author(s): Cheyenne Fenstemaker, Elizabeth A. Abrams, Katherine King, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 40, 2879-2889
Date: 12/2024
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Where the Road Ends: Emergency Care Sensitive Conditions Drive Excess Mortality in Medevac-Dependent Rural Alaska
Research letter detailing how poor access to emergency care and sociodemographic conditions contribute to disparities in mortality outcomes in rural Alaska, utilizing CDC WONDER 1999-2020 mortality data. Compares age-adjusted mortality rates for injuries, emergency care-sensitive conditions, and non-emergency care sensitive conditions in off road and on road communities.
Author(s): Brian Rice, Carla Britton, Stacy Rasmus, Tina Hernandez-Boussard
Citation: Emergency Medicine Journal, 2024, 214444
Date: 12/2024
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South Dakota Department of Health 2024 Annual Report
Describes activities and accomplishments of the South Dakota Department of Health in 2024. Includes sections on public health preparedness and response, rural health, emergency medical services, health information technology, family and community health, and licensure and accreditation.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: South Dakota Department of Health
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Obstetric Care Access at Rural and Urban Hospitals in the United States
Offers data showing losses and gains of obstetric care for 4,964 short-term acute care hospitals between 2010 and 2022. Offers comparisons of rural and urban hospitals.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Julia D. Interrante, Caitlin Carroll, et al.
Date: 12/2024
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Annual Report on the New Hampshire Health Care Workforce and Data Collection: Calendar Year 2024
Includes aggregate data and information on current and projected New Hampshire primary workforce needs and the participation rate on surveys completed by clinicians for the Health Professions Data Center. Features a state map showing rural and nonrural New Hampshire regional public health networks, and statistics on demographics, barriers to care, substance use and mental health, and maternal health. Includes license renewal data for various providers types, and workforce data on physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants, including percentage in rural regions.
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organizations: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire Rural Health & Primary Care
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Closing the Distance: A Qualitative Study to Identify Equitable Innovations for Rural Thyroid Cancer Treatment
Examines differences in thyroid cancer care between rural and urban communities. Utilizes interview feedback from rural surgeons from various states that cover issues such as training, access to medical specialties, telemedicine opportunities, and collaboration with colleagues.
Author(s): Hattie H. Huston-Paterson, Yifan V. Mao, Elena G. Hughes, et al.
Citation: The American Surgeon, 91(4)
Date: 12/2024
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Strategies for Promoting Well-Being Across the Workplace Lifecycle: Case Studies from Rural Community Health Centers, Part 1
A recorded webinar that discusses staff well-being in rural Community Health Centers, with a focus on best practices related to staff recruitment, hiring strategies, and engagement. Includes information on social isolation and loneliness, work-life balance, and social and family needs of healthcare staff in rural areas. Transcript available below description.
Additional links: Rural Recruitment Best Practices
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: Association of Clinicians for the Underserved
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Rural Independent Pharmacies Sustainability Strategy
Policy brief discussing unique challenges that threaten the stability of rural independent pharmacies. Offers policy recommendations to support rural independent pharmacies.
Author(s): Sagar Dugani, Vistrit Choudhary, Brian G. Williams
Date: 12/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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