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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Adoption and Use of Electronic Health Records by Rural Health Clinics: Results of a National Survey
Results of a 2013 web-based national survey of 1,479 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) assessing the implementation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology. Includes statistics with breakdowns by geographic region, clinic ownership type, percentage of usage, and types of barriers to EHR acquisition and implementation.
Author(s): John Gale, Zach Croll, David Hartley
Date: 09/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Peer Coaches to Improve Diabetes Outcomes in Rural Alabama: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Discusses the results of a study comparing the effects of peer-coaching intervention that includes brief education versus brief education alone on diabetes patients living in under resourced settings of rural Alabama.
Author(s): Monika M. Safford, Susan Andreae, Andrea L. Cherrington, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 13(Suppl 1), S18–S26
Date: 08/2015
Type: Document
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Leading Change: Best Practices in Technical Assistance for Rural and Frontier Health-Care in an Era of Transformation
Provides resources, tools, and proven practices to augment technical assistance and support the development and implementation of services provided by State Offices of Rural Health (SORH), nonprofit organizations, and government agencies when working with rural and frontier health service organizations (HSOs).
Date: 08/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Frontier Communities
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Rural Health Care Disparities Created by Medicare Regulations
Recording of a July 28, 2015, U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health hearing concerning rural healthcare disparities created by Medicare regulations. Features testimony from the Arizona Center for Rural Health and leaders from two Critical Access Hospitals and one rural hospital. Covers physician shortages; graduate medical education; the impact of regulatory changes such as the 96-hour rule, the two-midnight rule, and physician supervision requirements; and more.
Additional links: Carrie Saia, Holton Community Hospital - Testimony, Daniel Derksen, Arizona Center for Rural Health - Testimony, Shannon Sorensen, Brown County Hospital - Testimony, Tim Joslin, Community Regional Medical Centers - Testimony
Date: 07/2015
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: House Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Health
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Examining the Relationship Between Health IT and Ambulatory Care Workflow Redesign
Analyzes the implementation of health information technology (HIT) in ambulatory care settings to better understand the underlying associations between HIT and workflow processes. Examines data from 6 ambulatory care practices that included 5 primary care practices in rural locations.
Author(s): Kai Zheng, Elizabeth L. Ciemins, Holly J. Lanham, Curt Lindberg
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Social Media Savvy
Reports on how rural healthcare facilities can use social media to connect with their communities. Describes the strengths and potential uses of different social media platforms. Includes examples and insights from a New Hampshire hospital and a Kansas physician who are using social media to reach patients.
Author(s): Kate Menzies
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Rural Food and Physical Activity Assessment Using an Electronic Tablet-Based Application, New York, 2013-2014
Evaluates the effectiveness of a community assessment tool focused on the built environment and used to capture images such as sidewalks, walkable destinations, restaurants, and food stores, in an effort to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and active living. Includes resident perspectives on community features and opportunities for improvement.
Author(s): Rebecca A. Seguin, Emily H. Morgan, Leah M. Connor, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 07/2015
Type: Document
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Disparities in Individuals' Access and Use of Health IT in 2013
Reports on patients' use of different types of health information technology (HIT) as of 2013, prior to a federal push to expand patient access to and use of HIT. Includes data specific to rural patients' use of HIT, showing lower use compared to urban patients. HIT types included emailing a provider, text messaging a provider, looking at test results online, and using a smart phone health app.
Author(s): Vaishali Patel, Wesley Barker, Erin Siminerio
Date: 06/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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Creating Opportunity and Prosperity Through Strengthening Rural-Urban Connections
Highlights examples in which regional development organizations can benefit from linking rural regions with urban centers. Includes information on broadband development and its implication for improving access to healthcare services.
Author(s): Brian Dabson, Erin Meyers
Date: 05/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Development Organizations
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The Persistent Health Care Gap for Children Living in Poverty: Will the Health Technology Revolution Level the Playing Field?
Discusses the need for and challenges to expanding healthcare technology for medically underserved children living in poverty stricken areas and rural areas. Highlights the potential to improve access to healthcare and health outcomes through the use of electronic health records (EHRs), telehealth, mobile medical clinics and diagnostic tools, and mobile communication devices. Offers recommendations for accelerating the use of technology in rural and underserved areas.
Date: 04/2015
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Children's Health Fund
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