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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Utah's Mental Health System - A Collaborative Endeavor of the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and the Utah Hospital Association
Report details the mental health status in Utah. Highlights rates of mental health treatment among adults, youth depression and suicide indicators, and total student suicide risk by year. Features county level data and compares rural and urban counties.
Author(s): Laura Summers, Dianne Meppen, Samantha Ball
Date: 08/2019
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Implementation Challenges and Opportunities Related to HPV Vaccination Quality Improvement in Primary Care Clinics in a Rural State
Examines quality improvement interventions to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in a rural Midwestern state. Describes the disparity in HPV vaccination rates between rural and urban areas. Discusses the roles of providers, clinics, and health systems in implementing interventions.
Author(s): Natoshia M. Askelson, Grace Ryan, Laura Seegmiller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 44(4), 790-795
Date: 08/2019
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Transformation Support Provided Remotely to a National Cohort of Optometry Practices
Describes the results of a practice transformation and quality improvement project for optometry practices. Compares cost-savings and emergency department avoidance data between rural and urban practices.
Author(s): Ronald N. Adler, Warren J. Ferguson, Hussein Antar, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 17(Suppl 1), S33-S39
Date: 08/2019
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Evaluating Adaptation of a Cancer Clinical Trials Decision Aid for Rural Cancer Patients: A Mixed Methods Approach
Study examining clinical trial methods for rural cancer patients. Surveys 15 cancer survivors and 31 recently diagnosed patients in two phases to evaluate patient decision aids (DA), which are designed to improve patient knowledge and preparedness so they can make informed decisions about whether or not to participate in a trial. Compares data from rural and urban participants and discusses concerns specific to rural cancer trial participants, including confidence in the healthcare system, willingness to undertake the effort to participate, and access to web-based tools required for participation, among other factors.
Author(s): Swati Pathak, Nerissa George, Denise Monti, Kathy Robinson, Mary C. Politi
Citation: Journal of Cancer Education, 34(4), 803-809
Date: 08/2019
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Doctor Hopping and Doctor Shopping for Prescription Opioids Associated with Increased Odds of High‐Risk Use
Presents a study on doctor hopping by people with opioid use disorder. Defines doctor hopping, a variant of doctor shopping, and uses data from the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program to illustrate the behavior and its outcomes. Compares doctor hopping and doctor shopping in both rural and urban areas.
Author(s): Sean G. Young, Corey J. Hayes, Jonathan Aram, Mark A. Tait
Citation: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 28(8), 1117–1124
Date: 08/2019
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2019 Physician Assistant Telehealth Survey
Discusses survey results of 95 physician assistants (PAs) across Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma regarding their use and perceptions of telehealth. Examines survey results across a variety of geographic and practice settings. Presents a brief overview of some federal and state-level policies about PA reimbursement and their ability to provide telehealth services.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: Heartland Telehealth Resource Center
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Reaching the Quadruple Aim: Workforce and Service Delivery Within Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics
Summary of data collected between February and August 2019 on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model's impact on the behavioral workforce and the aims of improving patient and provider experiences, improving the health of populations, and reducing costs. Discusses access and barriers to care, workforce capacity, primary care and behavioral healthcare integration, and offers recommendations for enhancing financing and reimbursement. Features statistics including populations served by CCBHCs, with breakdowns by urban, rural, and tribal locations.
Author(s): Dana Foney, Shannon Mace, Adriano Boccanelli
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organizations: National Council for Mental Wellbeing, University of Michigan Behavioral Health Workforce Research Center
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Making Connections: Nationwide Implementation of Video Telehealth Tablets to Address Access Barriers in Veterans
Results of a survey of 68 facility telehealth coordinators to evaluate implementation of a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative to provide tablets to high-need veterans with chronic conditions. Features statistics including demographics of tablet recipients and tablet users, with breakdowns by urban, rural, and highly rural location.
Author(s): Donna M. Zulman, Emily P. Wong, Cindie Slightam, et al.
Citation: JAMIA Open, 2(3), 323–329
Date: 08/2019
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Examining Rural Cancer Prevention and Control Efforts: Policy Brief and Recommendations to the Secretary
Provides an overview of issues related to cancer in rural areas, including barriers to accessing cancer care. Describes federal programs that support and enhance national and rural cancer control efforts, including funding, and offers policy recommendations. Features statistics on average annual percent change in cancer mortality rates from 2006-2015, with breakdowns by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Includes a U.S. map showing locations of cancer centers that received Rural Cancer Control Supplements grants in 2018.
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
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Impact of Rural and Urban Hospital Closures on Inpatient Mortality
Examines the impact of California's hospital closures from 1995-2011 on adjusted inpatient mortality for sepsis, stroke, asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute myocardial infarction. Features statistics including the number of closures by year, patient demographics with breakdowns by urban or rural location, and differential impacts of rural and urban closures with breakdowns by condition.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, Anirban Basu
Citation: NBER Working Paper Series, Working Paper 26182
Date: 08/2019
Sponsoring organization: National Bureau of Economic Research
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