Rural Project Examples: Promising
A program evaluation of this approach showed positive results.
Maryland Faith Health Network
Updated/reviewed December 2022
- Need: To coordinate formal and informal community-based caregivers for optimal patient experience.
- Intervention: The Maryland Faith Health Network unites places of worship and healthcare systems in Maryland. This program aims to decrease the amount of potentially avoidable hospitalizations, improve a patient's overall wellness, and cut down on the cost of medical services.
- Results: This model is currently running in 3 hospitals that serve both rural and urban residents in central Maryland. So far, 1,300 congregants from 70 congregations representing Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths have enrolled in the Network.
Atlantic General Hospital's Patient Centered Medical Home
Updated/reviewed August 2022
- Need: Ways to reduce hospital admission rates, emergency department visits, and total cost of care while better accommodating patients.
- Intervention: The hospital system applied a patient centered medical home care model to their 7 rural outpatient clinics located throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland and southern Delaware.
- Results: From the program's care coordination, care transitions, and intervention efforts, the hospital saw improvements in quality-of-care processes, service use, and spending.
Youth4Health
Updated/reviewed December 2019
- Need: To educate youth about obesity and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Intervention: An educational program about healthy living was implemented in Lincoln and Claiborne Parishes in Louisiana for youth ages 9-18.
- Results: Youth4Health program produced greater awareness and participation in healthier lifestyles by target youth and their families, as well as church congregations.