Topics: Health information technology

For more information and resources, see the Health Information Technology for Rural Healthcare topic guide.

A New Era of Health Literacy? Expanded Definitions, Digital Influences, and Rural Inequities

The priority for rural population health is access, including access to health information needed to make personal health decisions. Two of the nation’s health literacy experts join a federal agency official to review current rural challenges of accessing health information that is clear and usable. Along with an exploration of digital health literacy, recently expanded definitions of health literacy are discussed.

Clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld, clarifies telehealth as an “enabler” of healthcare delivery. Emphasizing that telehealth is only a set of telecommunication tools, he details how the unique use and flexibility of these tools by skilled providers can bring quality care and impact rural health equity.

National research has revealed it and rural research suggests it: over 40% of today’s physicians are burned out. This in-depth story reviews information about burnout in healthcare professions and for physicians in particular. Along with reviewing causes and impact, a medical school wellness-advocate, a researcher, and a large healthcare organization with a rural footprint shared interventions and solutions.

Over 40% of today’s physicians are burned out. A closer look at research indicates that not only is this a system problem rather than an individual problem, but that burnout impacts a system’s revenue streams, healthcare quality, and patient safety and satisfaction. Experts suggest the problem may even be of more concern in rural areas.

A new diagnosis of cancer? Of a rare disease? Or a chronic medical problem with seemingly no new treatment? The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences is supporting investigators and ensuring that their cutting-edge science gets to the people who need it. Translational science teams in Arkansas, Florida and Washington are making that happen in the rural areas of their states.

Rural healthcare facilities must plan and prepare for a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. A tornado in Iowa, an earthquake in Alaska, and an armed hostage standoff in South Dakota provide lessons in how rural providers can help ensure the safety of their patients, staff, and community in difficult circumstances.

Electronic health records are central to rural healthcare providers’ and organizations’ transition to value-based care. Several rural organizations are using their EHR data to make changes for the patient populations they serve.

Talking electronic health record “interoperability,” a rural hospital CEO and a HIT workforce educator talk about what that means for hospitals, clinics, and other organizations like those providing behavioral health.

Adam Willmann, CEO of a 25-bed CAH in Texas, talks about the importance of bringing “change” as an innovation to the hospital of his birth.

Due to barriers like cost and staffing, many rural healthcare facilities’ information systems are susceptible to malware attacks such as ransomware. South Peninsula Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Homer, Alaska, uses an IT staff of six to monitor threats and train coworkers on how to safeguard their hospital’s information.

The Rural Monitor

Articles and resources on key rural health issues, from the Rural Health Information Hub

Topics: Health information technology

A New Era of Health Literacy? Expanded Definitions, Digital Influences, and Rural Inequities

Understanding the “Tool-ish-ness” of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld

Physician Burnout: Definition(s), Cause(s), Impact(s), Solution(s)

Burnout: Measurement Tool(s), Cause(s) and Impact(s)

NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: Involving Rural America in Research

Planning and Partnerships: Coordinating Rural Resources for Emergency Preparedness and Response

Making the EHR Work: Rural Healthcare Organizations Use Data Extraction to Improve Patient Care

EHR Interoperability: HIT Needs Across the Healthcare Continuum

Young Rural Healthcare Leaders Series: Q&A with Adam Willmann

Cybersecurity: How a Rural Alaska Hospital is Safeguarding Its Patients’ Information