Module 2: Emerging Program Models for AI in Rural Healthcare

Rural communities across the U.S. are exploring how AI (artificial intelligence) can be used to support and transform healthcare delivery. This module highlights emerging program models that use AI in rural healthcare settings to address the unique challenges of rural healthcare delivery and access, such as limited workforce, geographic isolation, and resource constraints.

These models are considered emerging, meaning they are still being tested in different rural healthcare delivery settings, and the evidence base is still growing. In practice, rural healthcare facilities often implement more than one model at the same time, combining different AI applications to meet local needs. The specific AI models and tools adopted by any one community will vary by healthcare provider type, local community needs, population characteristics, leadership priorities, available funding, and organizational capacity and infrastructure. To learn how to identify and adapt rural health programs, see Developing a Rural Community Health Program in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

This toolkit does not promote specific vendors or products. Instead, it focuses on AI program models and how rural healthcare organizations are using AI to enhance healthcare quality, efficiency, and access within their unique settings.

In this module:

This toolkit describes 10 rural AI program models organized into three topic areas:

• Rural AI Models for Clinical Decision Support
  • AI-Powered Image Analysis
  • AI-Enabled Predictive Analytics
  • AI Discharge Assistants
• Rural AI Models for Healthcare Access and Delivery
  • AI-Powered Telehealth
  • AI-Powered Remote Patient Monitoring
  • AI Conversational Agents
  • AI and Emergency Medical Services
• Rural AI Models for Operational and Financial Management
  • AI-Assisted Clinical Documentation
  • AI-Assisted Coding and Billing
  • AI-Assisted Appointment Scheduling