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Rural Health Information Hub

Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Telehealth and Health Information Technology in Rural Healthcare.

Association of Financial Factors and Telemedicine Adoption for Heart Attack and Stroke Care Among Rural and Urban Hospitals: A Longitudinal Study
Examines the adoption of telemedicine for cardiac and stroke care in rural and urban hospitals between 2012 and 2017. Analyzes indicators for telemedicine adoption with a focus on hospital profitability and geographic location. Includes data on 4,108 hospitals across the U.S., such as academic centers, Critical Access Hospitals, and general medical, among other hospital types, as well as breakdowns of hospital characteristics by rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Amir Alishahi Tabriz, Kea Turner, Dunc Williams Jr., et al.
Citation: Telemedicine and e-Health, 28(6), 781-788
Date: 06/2022
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Higher Electronic Health Record Functionality Is Associated with Lower Operating Costs in Urban—but Not Rural—Hospitals
Explores the relationship between electronic health record (EHR) use and functionality and hospital operating costs. Examines the effects of different categories of EHR functionality on general, inpatient, and outpatient costs. Compares the relationship between EHR functionality and operating costs across urban and rural hospitals.
Author(s): Claudia A. Rhoades, Brian E. Whitacre, Alison F. Davis
Citation: Applied Clinical Informatics, 13(3), 665-676
Date: 05/2022
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Dentist Perceptions About the Value of Teledentistry
Highlights a study on dentist's perceptions on teledentistry as a means of expanding access to oral healthcare across the country. Discusses the role teledentistry plays in rural and underserved areas. Explores perceived barriers to adopting teledentistry.
Author(s): Tamanna Tiwari, Vuong Diep, Eric Tranby, et al.
Citation: BMC Oral Health, 22, 176
Date: 05/2022
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Designing a Framework for Remote Cancer Care Through Community Co-Design: Participatory Development Study
Explores the design and implementation of a framework to provide telemedicine cancer care in urban and rural areas of Kentucky. Addresses issues of health disparities and lack of broadband access in geographic areas such as Appalachia. Provides examples of participatory and co-design processes to create telemedicine options and engage communities.
Author(s): Eliah Aronoff-Spencer, Melanie McComsey, Ming-Yuan Chih, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Mental Health Service Use, Suicide Behavior, and Emergency Department Visits Among Rural US Veterans Who Received Video-Enabled Tablets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study to examine whether a U.S. Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Telehealth for FQHCs/RHCs: School-Based Telehealth
Offers a 3-part video series on school-based telehealth for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs). Topics covered in part 1 include school-based telehealth resources and opportunities; part 2 offers information on school-based health clinic benefits, program development, payment, and technology considerations; and part 3 covers school based primary care, integrated behavioral health, virtual learning, and evolution of telehealth services. If viewed through YouTube, transcripts are available below description.
Additional links: Telehealth for FQHCs/RHCs: School-Based Telehealth Part 2, Telehealth for FQHCs/RHCs: School-Based Telehealth Part 3
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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A New Era of Health Literacy? Expanded Definitions, Digital Influences, and Rural Perspectives
Explores rural challenges to accessing health information that is clear and usable, with insights from experts. Describes recently expanded definitions of health literacy. Discusses digital health literacy and the importance of broadband access and digital health tools for rural residents.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2022
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Benefits of a Telehealth Approach to Treating Mental Illness among Veterans in Rural Settings
Details a study on the VA's use of telemedicine to provide mental healthcare to rural veterans. Focuses on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially women with military sexual trauma (MST). Includes feedback from veterans on their experience with tele-mental health treatment.
Date: 01/2022
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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The Use of Telehealth for Disability Evaluation in Medicine and Allied Health: Proceedings of a Workshop
Summarizes presentations and discussions held during a March 2022 workshop regarding the use of telehealth for patient evaluation. Provides an overview of telehealth policy broadly and within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Explores the use of telehealth in a range of clinical specialties; telehealth access and digital inclusion and equity; the experiences of U.S. healthcare systems in deploying telehealth; and licensure, privacy, and security issues.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2022
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Understanding the "Tool-ish-ness" of Telehealth: Q&A with Dr. Jonathan Neufeld
An interview with clinical psychologist and program director for the Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center, Dr. Jonathan Neufeld. Discusses the role of telehealth in healthcare delivery. Describes how telecommunications tools can be used by providers to bring quality care to rural areas.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 12/2021
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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