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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Primary care

Expect Delays: Poor Connections Between Rural and Urban Health Systems Challenge Multidisciplinary Care for Rural Americans with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Investigates communication barriers between rural and urban health systems to identify factors that may be contributing to higher risk of major amputation among rural patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to urban patients with DFUs. Barriers for rural providers include time-consuming referrals; poor interactions with urban providers; and data sharing issues due to multiple, disconnected electronic health records.
Author(s): Bryn L. Sutherland, Kristen Pecanac, Christie M. Bartels, Meghan B. Brennan
Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 13(1), 32
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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Supply and Distribution of the Primary Care Workforce in Rural America: 2019
Details the supply of primary care providers in rural and urban areas in the U.S. Compares rates of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants per 100,000 people by county across the country. Features a state-level analysis.
Additional links: State-level Analysis
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Lisa A. Garberson, et al.
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Tennessee Federal Health Professional Shortage Areas: Primary Care
County-level map with shadings showing low-income population or geographic Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Date: 05/2020
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Tennessee Department of Health
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What Is the Impact on Rural Area Residents When the Local Physician Leaves?
Results of a pilot study exploring challenges in access to care that result when rural communities lose a family physician. Based on interviews with 18 participants from 3 geographically distinct rural areas of Virginia who had experienced the loss of a family physician within the past 5 years.
Author(s): Paulius Mui , Martha M. Gonzalez, Rebecca Etz
Citation: Family Medicine, 52(5), 352-356
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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Trends in Subspecialization: A Comparative Analysis of Rural and Urban Clinical Education
Results of a study examining how rural medical education is associated with practice specialization, using data from Michigan State University medical students who graduated from 1974-2011 and who trained at rural or urban campuses. Features demographic statistics with breakdowns by rural or urban place of birth and training location and practice specialty with breakdowns by rural or urban campus location.
Author(s): Andrea L. Wendling, Andrew Short, Fredrick Hetzel, Julie P. Phillips, William Short
Citation: Family Medicine, 52(5), 332-338
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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Idaho Rural Health Care Access Program (RHCAP) FY21 Primary Care Eligible Areas
County-level map with shadings showing primary care geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), population group HPSAs, and ineligible areas.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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Idaho Rural Physician Incentive Program (RPIP) FY21 Eligible Areas
County-level map with shadings showing geographic Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), population group HPSAs, and ineligible areas.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Map/Mapping System
Sponsoring organization: Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
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Patient Perceptions of Video Visits Using Veterans Affairs Telehealth Tablets: Survey Study
Highlights a study on the perceptions of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients on the use of video-based telehealth via VA-issued tablets. Compares perceptions of rural and urban veterans and discusses some of the healthcare needs addressed through telehealth, including mental healthcare, primary care, and rehabilitation, among others.
Author(s): Cindie Slightam, Amy J Gregory, Jiaqi Hu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(4), e15682
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
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Health Care Professional Workforce Composition Before and After Rural Hospital Closure
Policy brief examining the change in numbers of local healthcare providers before and after rural hospital closures from 2010-2018, to examine associations with eliminating inpatient services in rural areas. Features statistics with breakdowns by advanced practice providers, primary care providers, and specialists.
Author(s): Erin Mobley, Fred Ullrich, Redwan Bin Abdul Baten, Mina Shrestha, Keith Mueller
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Rural and Urban Differences in Primary Care Pain Treatment by Clinician Type
Explores the differences in opioid prescribing patterns of nurse practitioners and primary care physicians in both rural and urban areas. Also compares physical therapy referrals by location and clinician type.
Author(s): Hannah Neprash, Laura Barrie Smith, Shailendra Prasad, Bethany Sheridan, Katy Kozhimannil
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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