Conducting Rural Health Research, Needs Assessments, and Program Evaluations – Resources

Range Matters: Rural Averages Can Conceal Important Information
Findings brief showing how research focusing on averages without considering data range can conceal important information about average rural hospital profitability, distance between hospitals, and HIV prevalence by county.
Author(s): Meagan Clawar, Kristie Thompson, George H. Pink
Date: 01/2018
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Assessing Local Capacity to Expand Rural Breast Cancer Screening and Patient Navigation: An Iterative Mixed-Method Tool
Report on the development of a mixed-method tool for assessing county capacity as part of a needs assessment process, describing outcomes in rural North Texas counties. Discusses the expansion of the Breast Screening and Patient Navigation (BSPAN) program into a hub-and-spoke delivery model to strengthen networks of community clinics, community groups, and nonprofit organizations. Offers qualitative and quantitative data on changes over the development period.
Author(s): Stephen J. Inrig, Robin T. Higashi, Jasmin A. Tiro, Keith E. Argenbright, Simon J. Craddock Lee
Citation: Evaluation and Program Planning, 61, 113-124
Date: 04/2017
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Identifying Rural Health Clinics in Medicaid Data
Describes and compares 6 different tested methods for identifying Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) within Medicaid claims as a technique to better understand Medicaid enrollees' use of RHC services. Uses data from North Carolina, California, Georgia, and Texas.
Author(s): Marisa Domino, Seth Tyree, Regina Rutledge, Mark Holmes
Date: 05/2016
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Guiding Principles for Engaging in Research with Native American Communities
Offers guidance on how to conduct research in and with Native communities based on 11 principles focusing on cultural humility, relationship building, relevance, and more.
Date: 04/2016
Sponsoring organizations: Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, Nadine Tafoya and Associates, New Mexico Tribal Strategic Prevention Framework Project, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, UNM Center for Rural and Community Behavioral Health, UNM Prevention Research Center
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Evaluating Tablet Computers as a Survey Tool in Rural Communities
Examines whether two survey methods, paper and pencil versus tablet computers, yield similar survey responses to common health questionnaires in undeserved rural communities. Examines perceptions of usability for each survey method and whether findings could be replicated between the survey methods.
Author(s): Steve M. Newell, Henrietta L. Logan, Yi Guo, John G. Marks, James A. Shepperd
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(1), 108-117
Date: 01/2015
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Building Partnerships in Community-Based Participatory Research: Budgetary and Other Cost Considerations
Explores costs and budget considerations when implementing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework to work with communities to reduce health disparities. Analysis can inform budget discussions and assist with planning CBPR project timelines. Table 1 details budget concerns for CBPR project staff and Table 2 lists opportunity costs associated with community partners for a CBPR project.
Author(s): Theresa J. Hoeft, Wylie Burke, Scarlett E. Hopkins, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 15(2), 263-270
Date: 03/2014
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Comparison of Enrollment Rates of African-American Families Into a School-Based Tobacco Prevention Trial Using Two Recruitment Strategies in Urban and Rural Settings
Describes results from using two recruitment approaches targeting rural and urban African-American elementary school families in the South for enrollment in a tobacco prevention program. The intervention used the Facilitate, Open and transparent communication, Shared benefits, Team and tailored, Educate bilaterally, and Relationships, realistic and rewards (FOSTER) approach, which is based on community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles.
Author(s): Martha S. Tingen, Jeannette O. Andrews, Janie Heath, et al.
Citation: American Journal of Health Promotion, 27(4), e91–e100
Date: 2013
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Community Health Needs Assessment Toolkit
Designed to help rural hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment, which is a requirement for all 501(c)(3) hospitals.
Author(s): Gerald A. Doeksen, Cheryl F. St. Clair
Date: 05/2012
Sponsoring organizations: National Center for Rural Health Works, Oklahoma Office of Rural Health
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Rural Issues Related to Comparative Effectiveness Research and Dissemination
Describes strategies for expanding clinical research in rural environments; implementing practice guidelines in rural settings; and improving access to current evidence-based information for rural health professionals and patients.
Author(s): Ira Moscovice, Michelle Casey
Date: 06/2009
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
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Bridging Rural Health Research and Policy: Dissemination Strategies
Describes five strategies for effective dissemination and expanded use of rural health services research and discusses the infrastructure needed to enhance rural health research dissemination.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Timothy D. McBride, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 08/2007
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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