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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Specialty care

Measure Applications Partnership 2022 Considerations for Measure Set Review in Federal Programs: Clinician, Hospital, and Post-Acute Care/Long-Term Care
Reviews the 32 healthcare quality and efficiency measures used by the National Quality Forum's Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) during 2022. Discusses measures for clinician programs, hospital programs, and post-acute care/long-term care programs. Includes the MAP Rural Health Advisory Group's support or determination of the suitability of each measure for rural providers.
Date: 09/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Quality Forum
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Adoption of Telemedicine in a Rural US Cancer Center Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative Study
Describes the implementation of telemedicine in outpatient oncology clinics affiliated with the Dartmouth Cancer Center that serve rural patients. Discusses findings from interviews with staff, specialty providers, and practice managers, noting challenges to implementation, the need for guidance, and concerns about communication quality.
Author(s): Matthew Mackwood, Rebecca Butcher, Danielle Vaclavik, et al.
Citation: JMIR Cancer, 8(3), e33768
Date: 08/2022
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MedPAC Comment on CMS's Proposed Rule on the ESRD PPS Update for CY 2023
Comments on a June 28, 2022, Federal Register proposed rule related to Medicare payment policies for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Includes comments addressing the low-volume payment adjustment (LVPA) and the rural adjustment.
Date: 08/2022
Sponsoring organization: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
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Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Workforce in Kentucky
Examines the distribution of speech language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUDs) across Kentucky. Explores unique challenges faced by rural communities in accessing hearing and speech specialists. Features statistics on numbers of SLPs and AUDs in Kentucky, with breakdowns by Appalachian, rural, urban, and Delta areas.
Author(s): Sydney P. Howard, Melissa Slone, Austin Huff, Frances Feltner
Date: 07/2022
Sponsoring organization: University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health
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The Association Between Primary Care Use and Potentially-Preventable Hospitalization Among Dual Eligibles Age 65 and Over
Examines the relationship between primary care and ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalization among people age 65 and older who are dually-enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location.
Author(s): N. Loren Oh, Andrew J. Potter, Lindsay M. Sabik, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 22(927)
Date: 07/2022
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Advancing Rural Health: Illinois Small and Rural Hospitals
Discusses the overall impact of the 86 small and rural hospitals in Illinois. Includes data on hospital utilization, patient demographics, economic impacts, associated community engagement and healthcare services, workforce and specialty care issues, and more. Provides county-level maps on obstetric services and location of small and rural hospitals.
Date: 06/2022
Sponsoring organization: Illinois Health and Hospital Association
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Staving Off One's Mortality: Rural Kidney Health and Its Disparities
Describes rural disparities around access to disease-stabilizing treatment for kidney disease and to renal replacement therapies. Features insights from providers serving rural patients, as well as a rural kidney transplant recipient sharing her experience.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 06/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Colorado Rural Sustainability Network Chronic Care Management, 2020–2021
Highlights the burden of chronic care management by rurality in Colorado. Looks at cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and heart attack management across the rural and urban spectrum.
Date: 05/2022
Sponsoring organization: Colorado Rural Health Center
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Veterans Health Administration Interdisciplinary Clinical Video-Telehealth for Geriatrics and Dementia
Highlights a model for delivering interdisciplinary clinical care via video-based telehealth for geriatric rural veterans with dementia. Presents methods for overcoming geographic barriers to provide dementia care for rural veterans with a team of professionals such as social workers, pharmacists, and geriatricians via remote consultations with rural providers.
Additional links: One-page Overview
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Overcoming Disparities in Surgical Care among Native Americans
Discusses the disparity in access to oncologic surgical care for Native Americans. Details a pathway program at the Oregon Health & Science University aimed as increasing matriculation rates among Native Americans into medicals school.
Author(s): Thomas L. Sutton, Brett C. Sheppard
Citation: Bulletin of The American College of Surgeons
Date: 04/2022
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