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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Availability of New Medicaid Patient Appointments and the Role of Rural Health Clinics
Results of a study conducted between November 2012 and April 2013, examining Rural Health Clinics in 10 states in terms of their willingness to accept new primary care patients on Medicaid. Features statistics on patient acceptance rates and appointment rates, with breakdowns by 6 levels of urban-rural classification.
Author(s): Michael R. Richards, Brendan Saloner, Genevieve M. Kenney, Karin V. Rhodes, Daniel Polsky
Citation: Health Services Research, 51(2), 570-591
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
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Indian Health Service: Actions Needed to Improve Oversight of Patient Wait Times
Reviews Indian Health Services (IHS) oversight policies and finds healthcare access measurement issues within IHS due to poor performance tracking in place. Highlights inadequate services at some facilities that have resulted in long wait times and lower quality of care provided.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Economic Impact of Rural Broadband
Provides an estimate of the direct and indirect economic activities of the rural broadband industry on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and their effect on other rural industries, including healthcare.
Date: 04/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Hudson Institute
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Dementia - Capable North Carolina: A Strategic Plan for Addressing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
Presents results from the North Carolina Senate mandated Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Offers recommendations focused on improving statewide awareness and education about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, supporting people with dementia and their families, enhancing services for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and dementia including those in underserved areas, and improving data collection and research.
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina Institute of Medicine
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Access to Care and Diabetes Management among Older American Indians with Type 2 Diabetes
Highlights a study on the role of healthcare access in diabetes management among American Indians over 50 with type 2 diabetes. Breaks down data by socio-demographic information, travel time to source of care, and availability of transportation.
Author(s): Emily J. Nicklett, Adam Omidpanah, Ron Whitener, Barbara V. Howard, Spero M. Manson
Citation: Journal of Aging and Health, 29(2), 206-221
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
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Availability of Advanced Breast Imaging at Screening Facilities Serving Vulnerable Populations
Compares the on-site availability of advanced breast imaging services between imaging facilities serving vulnerable patient populations and those serving non-vulnerable patient populations. Table 1 lists imaging facility characteristics.
Author(s): Christoph I. Lee. Andy Bogart, Jessica C. Germino, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Screening, 23(1), 24-30
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
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Evaluation of the Health Care Innovation Awards: Community Resource Planning, Prevention, and Monitoring: Second Annual Report
Second annual evaluations of 24 Health Care Innovation Awards Round One projects focused on enhancing care coordination and healthcare access through the use of health information technology, care coordination/patient navigation, and health promotion and prevention services. Discusses project impacts and challenges common across grantees. Includes profiles of 5 rural-focused projects, as well as projects serving rural and urban areas.
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Independence, Technology, and Connection in Older Age
Explores a wide range of technologies that promote continued independence and productivity for older Americans, including telehealth services for people in rural and underserved areas. Addresses lack of access to broadband or Internet connection in many rural areas.
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
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How Could Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants Be Deployed to Provide Rural Primary Care?
Examines various methods that can be implemented to help nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) meet the increased need for primary care services in rural areas. Provides rural and urban data on the number of new insurance enrollees and estimated primary care visits that resulted from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Cynthia Coulthard, Joanne Spetz
Date: 03/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Differences in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescent Girls in Metropolitan Versus Non-metropolitan Areas: Considering the Moderating Roles of Maternal Socioeconomic Status and Health Care Access
Compares the rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) in girls aged 12-17 in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the U.S. Analyzes cross-sectional data form the 2008-2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Discusses the maternal role as a determining factor in vaccination initiation and completion.
Author(s): Shannon M. Monnat, Danielle C. Rhubart, Sherrie Flynt Wallington
Citation: Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20(2), 315-325
Date: 02/2016
Type: Document
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