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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare.

Evidence Review — Social Determinants of Health for Veterans
Reports findings from a literature review of studies focused on social determinants of health for veterans. Summarizes study characteristics, social determinants addressed, and whether health behaviors, health services utilization, and health outcomes were examined. Includes an analysis of the studies that looked at effects of rurality, trauma, and sexual orientation.
Author(s): Wei Duan-Porter, Brian C. Martinson, Nancy Greer, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(10), 1785-1795
Date: 10/2018
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Elder Veterans Tend to Reside in Rural Counties and Near Military Bases
Map showing counties with a concentration of working-age and elder veterans, a concentration of working-age veterans, or a concentration of elder veterans, based on 2011-2015 American Community Survey data. Also identifies locations of military installations, ranges, and training areas.
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Promising Practice: Alabama SORH Collaborates with VA to Provide Telehealth Care for Vets
Describes a collaboration between the Alabama State Office of Rural Health and Alabama Veterans Affairs to create and implement a telehealth program aimed at delivering care to rural veterans.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Changes in Influenza Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Personnel in US Hospitals
Results of a study comparing proportions of 1,062 hospitals that did or did not require personnel to be vaccinated for influenza between 2013-2017. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban or rural location and Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA hospital type.
Author(s): M. Todd Greene, Karen E. Fowler, David Ratz, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open 1(2)
Date: 06/2018
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Veterans Health Administration: Steps Taken to Improve Physician Staffing, Recruitment, and Retention, but Challenges Remain
Highlights a report on the effectiveness of improvements made by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) in the areas of staffing, recruitment, and retention. Discusses the successes and shortcomings of the VHA's interventions.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Evaluating National Program to Improve Access to Acute Stroke Services for Rural Veterans
Features a study on the Veterans Health Administration's efforts to improve access to acute stroke services for rural veteran populations. Discusses the National TeleStroke Program (NTSP) and it's impact on rural veterans.
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Veterans Choice Program: Improvements Needed to Address Access-Related Challenges as VA Plans Consolidation of Its Community Care Programs
Presents a study on the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Choice Program. Evaluates the VHA's ability to consolidate Community Care Programs without affecting access for rural veterans. Highlights findings and provides recommendations for changes.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 06/2018
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Interaction Between Rural/Urban Status and Dual Use Status among Veterans with Heart Failure
Details a study on hospitalization and emergency department use by veterans with heart failure who use VA-only services or use a combination of VA and other healthcare services. Examines the role of urban and rural status in the veterans healthcare utilization rates.
Author(s): Kelly J Hunt, Mulugeta Gebregziahber, Charles J Everett, Paul A Heidenreich, Robert Neal
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 18(2), 4495
Date: 05/2018
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A Comparison of Collaborative Care Outcomes in Two Health Care Systems: VA Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers
Compares merged data from two different collaborative care trials: Telemedicine-Enhanced Antidepressant Management (TEAM) evaluating collaborative care for veterans with depression at a Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs); and Outreach Using Telemedicine for Rural Enhanced Access in Community Health (OUTREACH) evaluating collaborative care for civilians with depression at Federally Qualified Health Clinics (FQHCs). Aim of study is to determine whether there are any significant differences in outcomes between the two population groups from each of the trials. Studies were conducted in the rural South.
Author(s): Kathleen M. Grubbs, John C. Fortney, Jeffrey Pyne, et al.
Citation: Psychiatric Services, 69(4), 431-437
Date: 04/2018
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The Veterans Choice Program (VCP): Program Implementation
Presents a report on the implementation of the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Choice Program (VCP) as a way to increase access to care for veterans. Discusses veteran eligibility and care options within the program, provider participation, and the processing of payments.
Date: 04/2018
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Last Updated: 4/1/2025