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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Personal Care Assistance in Rural America
Discusses Personal Care Aide (PCA) scarcity in rural areas using 2013-2017 American Community Survey data. Presents maps and graphs of self-care disability prevalence and PCA availability with breakdowns by region. Also provides graphs comparing rural and urban PCA demographics, including poverty rate, race, educational attainment, sex, age, language spoken at home, and U.S. or foreign place of birth.
Author(s): Lillie Greiman, Rayna A. Sage, Timothy Bates, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organizations: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities, University of California San Francisco Health Workforce Research Center (UCSF HWRC)
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2022 Behavioral Health Workforce Assessment: A Report of the Behavioral Health Workforce Advisory Committee
Details the results of a study analyzing the occupations, roles, size, distribution, career pathways, demand, policy, and practice issues for the behavioral health workforce in the state of Washington. Includes recommendations to address workforce-related barriers and improve access to behavioral healthcare, and provides rural specific information.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organizations: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies, Washington State Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
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Practicing in Different Settings: Community vs Hospital
Webinar comparing community health nursing, public health nursing, and hospital nursing. Includes a discussion of community health nursing in a rural setting compared to an urban setting. Discusses workforce shortages, nurse training, and more. See video description for transcript.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: University of Texas at Arlington Center for Rural Health and Nursing
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HIMSS Healthcare Leadership Survey
Presents results of an October-November 2022 survey of healthcare executives regarding their outlook on organizational transformation and their readiness for the future. Identifies future priorities, challenges to reaching these priorities, and how they measure success. Covers financial readiness, healthcare workforce, health information technology, virtual patient care, cybersecurity, and more. Includes urban, suburban, and rural comparisons throughout.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society
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Virginia Community Services Boards Behavioral Health Services: 2022
Report on activities of Virginia's Community Services Boards (CSBs), the state's primary mechanism for providing publicly funded behavioral health services in local communities. Includes a section on CSBs' role in providing services to rural areas. Features statistics on numbers of substance use disorder and mental health consumers, with breakdowns by urban and rural CSBs.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission
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Disparities in Patient Portal Access by U.S. Adults Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reports on a population-based survey to determine if socio-demographic disparities exist in accessing online patient portals. Using data from the 2020 U.S. Health Information National Trends Survey, insured adults who had a medical visit in the previous 12 months were asked about their knowledge, access, and use of online medical records. Demographic characteristics of patients who were offered access, and for patients who accessed online portals are compared. Reasons for not using an online portal are discussed. Compares online patient portal use by different patient characteristics, including education, race/ethnicity, sex, age, location (metro vs nonmetro/rural), insurance type, use of internet, and quality of care.
Author(s): Akira Nishii, Celeste Campos-Castillo, Denise Anthony
Citation: JAMIA Open, 5(4)
Date: 12/2022
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The Economic Contributions of North Carolina's Health Systems and Hospitals
Presents information for 137 hospital facilities in North Carolina, including number of jobs, wage income, total value added, taxes that result from health system and hospital operations, and community benefits such as reduced cost care. Features statistics including numbers of hospitals and beds, with breakdowns by rural, suburban, and urban areas.
Additional links: Two-Page Summary
Author(s): Sara Nienow, Rizwaan Lakhani, Michael Hogan, Chrystall Davis, Jared Woollacott,
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Healthcare Association
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Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Spotlight: Telehealth in Minnesota
Examines changes in telehealth use before COVID-19 compared to 2021 through 2022 in Minnesota. Provides data on telehealth use by profession, healthcare setting, frequency, and urban, micropolitan, small town, or rural/isolated location.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Minnesota Department of Health - Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
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Improving Rural Health Through Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication
Presents the results of a comprehensive literature review to identify, summarize, and evaluate available research on the contributions of rural provider-to-provider telehealth communication and collaboration in addressing health disparities, and improving the health of rural populations. Topics cover the specific applications, effectiveness, implementation, sustainability, and barriers and facilitators of provider-to-provider telehealth in rural areas.
Additional links: Executive Summary, Full Report, Telehealth's Potential To Benefit Rural Healthcare Delivery: Infographic 1, Telehealth's Potential To Benefit Rural Healthcare Delivery: Infographic 2
Author(s): Annette Totten, Dana M. Womack, Marian S. McDonagh, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Emerging Adults Voice their Lived Experience: State of Hawai`i Substance Use System of Care Needs Assessment focused on Emerging Adults
Reports on a culturally responsive needs assessment focused on the substance use system in Hawaii and the experiences of emerging adults aged 18 to 29. Discusses qualitative data from behavioral health professionals as well as 24 emerging adults who have lived experiences with substance use disorder (SUD). Includes participants from various geographic areas with quotes from respective participants labeled by their rural or urban location.
Author(s): Susana Helm, Tai-An Miao, James Taylor, et al.
Date: 12/2022
Sponsoring organization: State of Hawai`i Department of Health, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division
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