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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access

Rural Health Clinic Readiness for Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition: Preparing for the Evolving Healthcare Marketplace
Discusses the results from a survey of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) that identified their capability to be eligible as a NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and examines the need for technical assistance and support of RHCs in the development of the PCMH model.
Additional links: Research & Policy Brief
Author(s): John Gale, Zach Croll, David Hartley, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 01/2015
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Fewer Family Physicians Are in Solo Practices
Discusses the current trend of fewer family physicians engaging in a solo practice, which could affect access to healthcare in rural areas that are reliant on single physician facilities.
Author(s): Lars E. Peterson, Elizabeth Baxley, Carlos Roberto JaƩn, Robert L. Phillips
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 28(1), 11-12
Date: 01/2015
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Eight Step Advocacy Plan for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Survivors of Sexual Assault: A Guide for Rural Dual/Multi-Service Advocates
Guide for rural sexual assault advocates, with information on providing appropriate services and identifying accommodations in services and changes in technology.
Author(s): Leah Green, Petty Chicoine, Stephanie Mathis, Jennifer Upah-Kyes
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Resource Sharing Project
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An Optimization Framework for Measuring Spatial Access over Healthcare Networks
Examines spatial access, a dimension of healthcare access, using an optimization framework involving supply, demand, and network structure. Includes optimization models, maps, and accessibility estimates.
Author(s): Zihao Li, Nicoleta Serban, Julie L. Swann
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 15, 273
Date: 2015
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Population-Based Geographic Access to Endocrinologists in the United States, 2012
Describes the variability in geographic accessibility to endocrinologists in the U.S. Provides analysis by age group at the state and county-levels, rural versus urban, and travel time to receive care.
Author(s): Hua Lu, James B. Holt, Yiling J. Cheng, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 15, 541
Date: 2015
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Evaluation of Urban-Rural Differences in Pharmacy Practice Needs in Maine with the MaPPNA
Results of a survey conducted in Maine regarding needs in pharmacy practice, with a particular focus on urban versus rural areas. Topics covered include opioid abuse, access to healthcare, polypharmacy, and workforce.
Author(s): Sarah L. Martin, Robert P. Baker, Brian J. Piper
Citation: Pharmacy Practice, 13(4), 1-8
Date: 2015
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Sustaining "Meaningful Use" of Health Information Technology in Low-Resource Practices
Discusses the barriers in maintaining electronic health records (EHRs) for compliance with the federal policy of meaningful use found in small practices located in rural and urban Michigan.
Author(s): Lee A. Green, Georges Potworowski, Anya Day, et al.
Citation: Annals of Family Medicine, 13(1), 17-22
Date: 2015
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Rural Healthy People 2020: A Companion Document to Healthy People 2020, Volume 1
Provides a rural focus for the Healthy People 2020 priorities. Includes overviews of the top 10 rural health priority areas identified by rural stakeholders. (Volume 2 discusses priorities 11-20.) Topics addressed include: health insurance, primary care, emergency services, nutrition and weight status, diabetes, mental health, substance abuse, heart disease and stroke, physical activity, older adults, maternal and child health, and tobacco use. Each overview includes reviews of the relevant literature and models that rural communities can use to address the issues. Document is available for free download, after providing brief information about intended use.
Author(s): Jane N. Bolin, Gail Bellamy, Alva O. Ferdinand, Bita Kash, Janet W. Helduser
Date: 2015
Sponsoring organization: Southwest Rural Health Research Center
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The Effects of Expanding Public Insurance to Rural Low-Income Childless Adults
Details a study on the effects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on healthcare usage for rural adults without children in Wisconsin from 2007-2012. Discusses the frequency and type of care sought after participants gained coverage. Records visits in 3 categories: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits.
Author(s): Marguerite E. Burns, Laura Dague, Thomas DeLeire, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 49(s2), 2173-2187
Date: 12/2014
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Transportation Disadvantaged Populations: Nonemergency Medical Transportation Not Well Coordinated, and Additional Federal Leadership Needed
Discusses the federal programs that support nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) and how coordination of these programs between federal agencies is limited. Coordination between state and local level NEMT services and the challenges that accompany NEMT coordination are reviewed.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 12/2014
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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