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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Primary care

Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care in Rural America
Recording of a May 2023 webinar discussing behavioral health and primary care integration in rural areas. Explores the importance of integration in rural areas, the barriers to integration, and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Features opening remarks from Tom Morris, Associate Administrator for Rural Health Policy at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and a panel of providers from Missouri, New Hampshire, and Texas. Transcript available by clicking the dots above the video description, then selecting Show transcript.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Medical Assistants' Telehealth Roles and Skills in Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study examining the role of medical assistants (MAs) in providing primary care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 10 key informants from national and state primary care organizations were interviewed. Results include discussion about the variation in roles being dependent on organization size and rurality.
Author(s): Samantha W. Pollack, Susan M. Skillman, Tracy M. Mroz, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Achieving Behavioral Health Care Integration in Rural America
Provides an overview of behavioral health and primary care integration and how integration may be different in rural areas than in urban and suburban areas. Examines the barriers to integration in rural areas and opportunities for policies that can improve access to care. Offers policy recommendations to better coordinate and integrate primary care and behavioral health services for high-risk groups and expand the ability of primary care providers to handle the lower-acuity behavioral health needs of patients through enhanced payments, training, and improved access to behavioral health providers for consultation and referral. Builds on the March 2021 report, Tackling America's Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Through Primary Care Integration.
Author(s): Kendall Strong, Michele Gilbert, Julia Harris, et al.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Bipartisan Policy Center
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Service-Obligated Providers in New York State
Research brief profiling the health professionals fulfilling service obligations in New York State through federal or state provider incentive programs as of March 2022. Discusses Health Professional Shortage Area placements and J-1 visa waivers. Features statistics including the number and per capita rate of service-obligated providers by region of practice and a list of New York State counties with breakdowns by urban or rural status.
Additional links: Overview: Service-Obligated Providers in New York State
Author(s): Robert Martiniano, Alexandra Romero, Jean Moore
Date: 05/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
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Sparta Community Hospital Spotlight
Describes how the Sparta Community Hospital worked to identify the social determinants of health in its community. Discusses the addition of a mobile clinic to increase access to primary care, address barriers, and advance health equity.
Date: 05/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Access to Evidence-Based COPD Management among Rural Veterans: Rural Primary Care Provider Perspectives
Highlights a study on the perspectives of primary care providers serving rural veterans on the challenges of providing evidence-based COPD management care in rural communities. Details key barriers and makes policy recommendations.
Author(s): Talitha Wilson, R. Adams Dudley, Ken M. Kunisaki, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 38, 2843-2845
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
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Examining Existing Federal Programs to Build a Stronger Health Workforce and Improve Primary Care
Recording of an April 2023 U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing on federal government programs and legislation related to supporting the healthcare workforce and improving primary care. Features testimony from Carole Johnson, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Includes discussions on the rural health workforce throughout.
Additional links: Carole Johnson, Health Resources and Services Administration - Testimony
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Engaging Primary Care in Value-Based Payment: New Findings from the 2022 Commonwealth Fund Survey of Primary Care Physicians
Describes the results of the 2022 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians regarding fee-for-service and value-based payment models. Highlights trends between smaller, rural practices and larger, urban ones and discusses implications on quality of care.
Author(s): Celli Horstman, Corinne Lewis
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Commonwealth Fund
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Availability of Healthcare Providers in Rural Areas Lags That of Urban Areas
Bar chart showing metro and nonmetro primary care physicians, dentists, and other healthcare professionals per 10,000 residents.
Date: 04/2023
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps (NACNHSC) Meeting Minutes, March 21, 2023
Minutes from the March 21, 2023 virtual meeting, including presentations on maintaining funding priorities for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC); goals, strategic development, and planning for FY 2023–2024; and NHSC updates.
Additional links: Agenda, NHSC Updates
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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