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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical therapy

A Comparison of Rural and Urban Specialty Hospitals
Results of a study examining differences in long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities in urban and rural areas. Features statistics on ownership type, location, number of beds, percent of inpatient days for rural residents, percent of inpatient days for Medicare beneficiaries, operating expenses, percent of Medicaid days, and profitability.
Author(s): George H. Pink, Andrew Osgood, Pranathi Sana
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Minnesota's Physical Therapist (PT) Workforce, 2020
An overview of the physical therapist workforce in the state of Minnesota based on a 2017 workforce questionnaire and other resources. Provides data and statistics on demographics, educational attainment, current employment status and future plans, specialties, use of electronic health records and telemedicine, and includes geographic distribution by rural-urban commuting regions (RUCAs).
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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Alaska Health Workforce Coalition 2017-2021 Action Agenda
Outlines priorities and provides guidance on system and capacity building initiatives to address Alaska's healthcare workforce needs. Includes discussion on rural recruitment programs, such as loan repayment and incentives, and a rural professional recruiting network.
Date: 2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce, University of Alaska Statewide Workforce Programs
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Rural Promising Practice Issue Brief: Using Clinical Video Telehealth to Provide Comprehensive Care to Rural Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Presents a report on the VHA's use of video telehealth in clinical settings to provide access to treatment for rural veterans with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Discusses implementation strategies and the roles of neurologists, physical therapists, and telehealth support staff.
Additional links: Overview
Date: 11/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Minnesota's Physical Therapist Assistant Workforce, 2015
Summarizes the 2015 Physical Therapist Assistant Workforce Survey for the state of Minnesota. Provides data and statistics on demographics, current employment status, future plans, and work setting. Includes geographical distribution by region and across urban and rural areas.
Date: 06/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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Utah's Physical Therapist Workforce, 2016
Describes the composition of Utah's physical therapy workforce in 2016. Includes statistics on demographics, practice characteristics, rural and urban distribution, and the supply and demand of physical therapists in Utah. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the rural workforce.
Author(s): Jaron Halford
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Utah Health Workforce Information 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
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Trend Toward the Clinical Doctorate in Allied Health: Implications for Rural Communities
Examines how the transition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree has affected the supply and quality of rural physical therapy care.
Author(s): Janet K. Freburger, Jennifer King, Rebecca Slifkin
Date: 08/2008
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Home Health Payment Reform: Trends in the Supply of Rural Agencies and Availability of Home-Based Skilled Services
Reports on changes in the supply of home health agencies in rural and urban areas before and after the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997, which changed reimbursement for home health. Also looks at provision of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medical social work by rural and urban home health agencies.
Author(s): Janet P. Sutton
Date: 03/2005
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NORC Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
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Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project
Provides current information on licensing for occupational and physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers. Resources include state-specific information related to licensure, as well as online and phone support.
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB)
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