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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

The Rural Obstetric Workforce in US Hospitals: Challenges and Opportunities
Details a study of the obstetric workforce and access to obstetric services in rural areas. Analyzes the results of a survey of 306 rural hospitals across the U.S. from November 2013 - March 2014. Discusses possible policy and training modifications for rural hospitals based on the study's conclusions.
Author(s): Katy B. Kozhimannil, Michelle M. Casey, Peiyin Hung, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(4), 365-372
Date: 10/2015
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Colorectal Cancer Burden and Access to Federally Qualified Health Centers in California
Examines the geographic variation in late-stage diagnosis of colorectal cancer in California compared to distance to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the poverty level of the patient population, rural residence, and their access to a private vehicle.
Author(s): Brendan Darsie, Jennifer Rico, Madhurima Gadgil, Joshua Tootoo
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 12
Date: 10/2015
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OIG Advisory Opinion No. 15-13
Advisory opinion from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) concerning a proposal for free transportation services between certain medical facilities as a part of a rural, integrated health system.
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: Office of Inspector General (HHS)
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Diffusion of Physicians and Access To Primary Care: The Role of Person, Program, and Place
Examines factors which influence physicians' decisions to move into or out of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and analyzes characteristics that may cause counties to gain or lose HPSA designation, using data from 2006, 2011, and 2013. Includes statistics with breakdowns such as change in physician-to-population ratio in urban, rural HPSA, and rural non-HPSA counties from 2010 to 2012, rates of inter-county and inter-state moves among physicians from 2006 to 2013, and characteristics of physicians by category of move.
Author(s): Thomas C. Ricketts
Date: 10/2015
Sponsoring organization: The Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
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A Cross-Sectional Study on Health Differences Between Rural and Non-Rural U.S. Counties Using the County Health Rankings
Examines the rural and urban differences in health and healthcare within the U.S. using data accessed from the 2013 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Vital health factors evaluated include mortality, morbidity, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment.
Author(s): Timothy J. Anderson, Daniel M. Saman, Martin S. Lipsky, M. Nawal Lutfiyya
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 15, 441
Date: 10/2015
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Disparities in Patterns of Health Care Travel Among Inpatients Diagnosed With Congestive Heart Failure, Florida, 2011
Investigates the nonclinical factors that motivate patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) to travel greater distances to seek treatment rather than utilize their local hospital service area. Study was based on 2011 individual hospital discharge data and analyzes the odds of local hospitalization and various predictors of travel time, including rural/urban patient location.
Author(s): Peng Jia, Imam M. Xierali
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease,12
Date: 09/2015
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Challenges of Rural Cancer Care in the United States
Highlights the impact of rurality affecting the care of rural cancer patients and healthcare providers treating cancer patients. Discussion includes the availability of cancer specialists, limited transportation services, lower socioeconomic status, health insurance coverage, less access to clinical trials, and the shortage of palliative and end-of-life staff and services.
Author(s): Mary Charlton, Jennifer Schlichting, Catherine Chioreso, et al.
Citation: Oncology (Williston Park), 29(9), 633-640
Date: 09/2015
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Overcoming Obstacles to Health Care: Transportation Models that Work
Describes effective patient-centered transportation models, provides guidance on advancing healthcare access, and addresses transportation barriers among people living in rural areas, children and the elderly, and low-income populations. Identifies recommendations and strategies that may influence state and federal transportation polices.
Date: 09/2015
Sponsoring organization: Health Outreach Partners
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Decreased Cancer Mortality-to-Incidence Ratios with Increased Accessibility of Federally Qualified Health Centers
Explores associations between access, for example one or more facilities, to Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios in every county in the United States using 2006-2010 data from the National Cancer Institute State Cancer Profile. Examines breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Data is broken down by cancer type, rural versus urban, Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designation, and race.
Author(s): Swann Arp Adams, Seul Ki Choi, Leepao Khang, et al.
Citation: Journal of Community Health, 40(4), 633-641
Date: 08/2015
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Not Near Enough: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Nearby Behavioral Health Care and Primary Care
Analyzes the association of integrated behavioral health and primary care services with communities in rural areas and communities with higher percentages of African American and Hispanic people to gain a better understanding of the disparities in access to integrated care.
Author(s): Lynn M. VanderWielen, Emma C. Gilchrist, Molly A. Nowels, et al.
Citation: Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 26(3) 1032–1047
Date: 08/2015
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