Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Specialty care
Bridging the Rural Mental Health Gap: Telehealth Delivery of Specialized CBT and MBCT for Veterans With Parkinson's Disease
Examines the Veteran Affairs (VA) New Jersey Parkinson's Disease (PD) Telepsychotherapy Hub (PD Telepsych Hub) that provides virtual mental health treatments to rural veterans. Analyzes treatment results of 522 veterans with PD over 5 years of receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-PD) or group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT-PD). Provides data on sample demographics, clinical characteristics, pre- and post-treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with therapy.
Author(s): John R. Purcell, Rokas Perskaudas, Rachael B. Miller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70175
Date: 06/2026
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Examines the Veteran Affairs (VA) New Jersey Parkinson's Disease (PD) Telepsychotherapy Hub (PD Telepsych Hub) that provides virtual mental health treatments to rural veterans. Analyzes treatment results of 522 veterans with PD over 5 years of receiving cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-PD) or group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT-PD). Provides data on sample demographics, clinical characteristics, pre- and post-treatment outcomes, and satisfaction with therapy.
Author(s): John R. Purcell, Rokas Perskaudas, Rachael B. Miller, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70175
Date: 06/2026
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MedPAC Report to the Congress: Medicare and the Health Care Delivery System, June 2026
Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Evaluates Medicare payment issues and provides recommendations to the U.S. Congress. Covers payment incentives in Medicare, the complexity of Medicare enrollment decisions for beneficiaries, Medicare payment operations and their role in identifying improper payments, the estimated association between Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment and hospitals' and post-acute care providers' finances, and access to hospice and certain complex palliative services for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease or cancer. Includes a mandated report regarding the Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Timely Adjuvant Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer: Barriers and Facilitators in Rural Care
Examines initiation delays of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) following surgery in rural patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Utilizes qualitative data from patients, caregivers, and staff at 2 rural New England cancer center clinics and discusses barriers and facilitators of PORT, such as communication, caregiver support, healthcare access, leveraging rural resources and culture, and more.
Author(s): Garrett T. Wasp, Shahed Khudaier, Olivia Siroonian, et al.
Citation: JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 152(6), 569-577
Date: 06/2026
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Examines initiation delays of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) following surgery in rural patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Utilizes qualitative data from patients, caregivers, and staff at 2 rural New England cancer center clinics and discusses barriers and facilitators of PORT, such as communication, caregiver support, healthcare access, leveraging rural resources and culture, and more.
Author(s): Garrett T. Wasp, Shahed Khudaier, Olivia Siroonian, et al.
Citation: JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 152(6), 569-577
Date: 06/2026
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Geographic Variation in Amputations for Medicare Patients With Diabetic Lower-Extremity Wounds
Examines the factors and geographic variations related to amputations for patients with diabetic lower-extremity (DLE) wounds. Examines 707,971 recorded DLE wounds in Medicare patients according to patient characteristics, area deprivation, rurality, specialty care availability, and more. Includes U.S. heat maps showing percentage of amputations, wound management program availability, and podiatrist supply treating DLE wounds according to hospital referral region (HRR).
Author(s): Ioana Popescu, Helin Hernandez, Gabriela Plasencia, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(5), e2613616
Date: 05/2026
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Examines the factors and geographic variations related to amputations for patients with diabetic lower-extremity (DLE) wounds. Examines 707,971 recorded DLE wounds in Medicare patients according to patient characteristics, area deprivation, rurality, specialty care availability, and more. Includes U.S. heat maps showing percentage of amputations, wound management program availability, and podiatrist supply treating DLE wounds according to hospital referral region (HRR).
Author(s): Ioana Popescu, Helin Hernandez, Gabriela Plasencia, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 9(5), e2613616
Date: 05/2026
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A Geographic Disparities Analysis Between Standard of Care and Clinical Trial CAR-T Patients in Kansas
Examines demographic and geographic disparities in cancer care access within clinical trials at the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) as well as standard-of-care (SOC) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy at the University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS). Provides data breakdowns according to treatment type, demographics, rural versus urban location, Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, and distance to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). Discusses the importance of access to (CAR)-T cell therapy and need for targeted outreach in rural and HPSA-designated areas.
Author(s): Sam Pepper, Aliya Rashid, Carine Tabak, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(5), e71974
Date: 05/2026
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Examines demographic and geographic disparities in cancer care access within clinical trials at the University of Kansas Cancer Center (KUCC) as well as standard-of-care (SOC) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy at the University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS). Provides data breakdowns according to treatment type, demographics, rural versus urban location, Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, and distance to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC). Discusses the importance of access to (CAR)-T cell therapy and need for targeted outreach in rural and HPSA-designated areas.
Author(s): Sam Pepper, Aliya Rashid, Carine Tabak, et al.
Citation: Cancer Medicine, 15(5), e71974
Date: 05/2026
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"You're the Person for Me:" Patient Perceptions of Cancer Care Team Selection and Experiences with Care Coordination Within a Rural Hub-and-Spoke Health System
Examines patient perceptions of cancer care team selection within a rural hub-and-spoke healthcare system. Utilizes interview feedback from breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients receiving treatment within a large, rural academic health system and discusses patient preferences, experiences, interpersonal factors, practical choices, and more related to team-based care selection.
Author(s): Mia St. Angelo, Erika L. Moen, Laura B. Beidler, Christine M. Gunn
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37(93)
Date: 05/2026
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Examines patient perceptions of cancer care team selection within a rural hub-and-spoke healthcare system. Utilizes interview feedback from breast, lung, and colorectal cancer patients receiving treatment within a large, rural academic health system and discusses patient preferences, experiences, interpersonal factors, practical choices, and more related to team-based care selection.
Author(s): Mia St. Angelo, Erika L. Moen, Laura B. Beidler, Christine M. Gunn
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 37(93)
Date: 05/2026
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Broadband Access and Ophthalmologist Density in the United States: Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study
Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbanicity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Examines the relationship between broadband access and ophthalmologist density according to urbanicity and county-level demographic variables. Utilizes 2019 data from multiple national data sources and provides county-level U.S. maps showing ophthalmologist density, broadband access, and counties with both low broadband and ophthalmologist access.
Author(s): Patrick Akarapimand, John C. Lin, Ingrid U. Scott, Sally L. Baxter
Citation: JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, 12, e88473
Date: 05/2026
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Multi-Listing among Rural Kidney Transplant Recipients: A National Cohort Study
Explores the efficacy of multi-listing, or being added to waiting lists at more than two centers, for rural people who qualify for a kidney transplant as a method for improving rural transplantation rates. Breaks down data by patients characteristics of both recipients and donors and whether they were multi-listed prior to transplant.
Author(s): Erin R. Weeda, Arwen B. L. Declan, Patricia J. Greene, Derek A. DuBay
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70156
Date: 04/2026
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Explores the efficacy of multi-listing, or being added to waiting lists at more than two centers, for rural people who qualify for a kidney transplant as a method for improving rural transplantation rates. Breaks down data by patients characteristics of both recipients and donors and whether they were multi-listed prior to transplant.
Author(s): Erin R. Weeda, Arwen B. L. Declan, Patricia J. Greene, Derek A. DuBay
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70156
Date: 04/2026
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Comparing the Care, Distance Traveled, and Health Workforce Clinician Mix for Rural and Urban Commercially Insured Enrollees With Opioid Use Disorder
Examines characteristics of opioid treatment in rural and urban communities across the United States. Utilizes 2019 commercial claims data from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to analyze rural versus urban differences in opioid use disorder and overdose diagnoses, healthcare utilization, healthcare visits by clinician type, average distance traveled to utilize healthcare, and location of received care.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Examines characteristics of opioid treatment in rural and urban communities across the United States. Utilizes 2019 commercial claims data from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to analyze rural versus urban differences in opioid use disorder and overdose diagnoses, healthcare utilization, healthcare visits by clinician type, average distance traveled to utilize healthcare, and location of received care.
Author(s): C. Holly A. Andrilla, Sara C. Woolcock, Lisa A. Garberson, Janessa M. Graves
Date: 04/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Post-Hospital Access to Preferred and High-Quality Skilled Nursing Facilities for Patients With Opioid Use Disorder
Examines access to preferred and high-quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Utilizes 2017-2021 Medicare inpatient claims data to analyze 6,490,593 patients with OUD and their likelihood to enter preferred and high-quality SNFs according to patient demographics and urbanicity of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Talia S. Benheim, Momotazur Rahman, Andrew R. Zullo, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70110
Date: 04/2026
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Examines access to preferred and high-quality skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) among Medicare beneficiaries with opioid use disorder (OUD). Utilizes 2017-2021 Medicare inpatient claims data to analyze 6,490,593 patients with OUD and their likelihood to enter preferred and high-quality SNFs according to patient demographics and urbanicity of metro, micro, small town, or rural.
Author(s): Talia S. Benheim, Momotazur Rahman, Andrew R. Zullo, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 61(2), e70110
Date: 04/2026
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