Rural Health
Resources by Topic: COVID-19
The EMS and Community Paramedic Workforces Respond to COVID-19
Results of a study in which 17 key informant experts shared their perspectives on how the emergency medical services (EMS) and community paramedicine (CP) workforces responded to COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Also describes how the pandemic has affected EMS and CP. Features statistics on participant characteristics, with breakdowns by rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Marieke S. van Eijk, Samantha W. Pollack, Benjamin A. Stubbs, Christopher Hanson
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Results of a study in which 17 key informant experts shared their perspectives on how the emergency medical services (EMS) and community paramedicine (CP) workforces responded to COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Also describes how the pandemic has affected EMS and CP. Features statistics on participant characteristics, with breakdowns by rural and urban locations.
Author(s): Davis G. Patterson, Marieke S. van Eijk, Samantha W. Pollack, Benjamin A. Stubbs, Christopher Hanson
Date: 06/2023
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
CATCH-UP Vaccines: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) Framework to Evaluate Education Interventions to Increase Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake in Oklahoma
Utilizes the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) to examine interventions that improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in underserved areas of Oklahoma, including rural. Reviews process improvement, barrier elicitation and reduction, and teachable moment messaging as strategies to reduce vaccine health disparities in rural and underserved populations. Includes a map of Oklahoma showing vaccination rates by ZIP code.
Author(s): Amanda E. Janitz, Jordan M. Neil, Laura A. Bray, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 23
Date: 06/2023
view details
Utilizes the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) to examine interventions that improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in underserved areas of Oklahoma, including rural. Reviews process improvement, barrier elicitation and reduction, and teachable moment messaging as strategies to reduce vaccine health disparities in rural and underserved populations. Includes a map of Oklahoma showing vaccination rates by ZIP code.
Author(s): Amanda E. Janitz, Jordan M. Neil, Laura A. Bray, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 23
Date: 06/2023
view details
Intimate Partner Violence Survivorship, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Disaster: Implications for Future Disasters
Analyzes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence, perceived stress and resilience, and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic through interviews with a predominantly female group of 77 intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in rural Louisiana. Includes data on the significance of race and other demographic factors on study findings, and discusses the significance of IPV and PTSD support services during disasters.
Author(s): Clare E. B. Cannon, Regardt Ferreira, Fred Buttell, Allyson O'Connor
Citation: Violence Against Women, 30(12-13), 3251-3271
Date: 05/2023
view details
Analyzes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence, perceived stress and resilience, and experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic through interviews with a predominantly female group of 77 intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in rural Louisiana. Includes data on the significance of race and other demographic factors on study findings, and discusses the significance of IPV and PTSD support services during disasters.
Author(s): Clare E. B. Cannon, Regardt Ferreira, Fred Buttell, Allyson O'Connor
Citation: Violence Against Women, 30(12-13), 3251-3271
Date: 05/2023
view details
State Medicaid Telehealth Coverage Policy Decisions Since the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Describes changes to state Medicaid telehealth policy flexibilities and/or new policies enacted during the COVID-19 PHE as of April–May 2022. Focuses on flexibilities that were rolled back, as well as those made permanent in whole or in part. Examines the decision-making processes behind Medicaid telehealth policy changes. Summarizes findings from guided discussions with state Medicaid representatives across four domains: 1) state attitudes and perspectives on telehealth and telehealth policies; 2) state telehealth policy decision-making processes; 3) states' future plans for telehealth; and 4) challenges and lessons learned. Outlines potential opportunities for the future of telehealth. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Peggy G. Chen, Sara E. Heins, Stephanie Dellva
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
view details
Describes changes to state Medicaid telehealth policy flexibilities and/or new policies enacted during the COVID-19 PHE as of April–May 2022. Focuses on flexibilities that were rolled back, as well as those made permanent in whole or in part. Examines the decision-making processes behind Medicaid telehealth policy changes. Summarizes findings from guided discussions with state Medicaid representatives across four domains: 1) state attitudes and perspectives on telehealth and telehealth policies; 2) state telehealth policy decision-making processes; 3) states' future plans for telehealth; and 4) challenges and lessons learned. Outlines potential opportunities for the future of telehealth. Includes rural references throughout.
Additional links: Executive Summary
Author(s): Peggy G. Chen, Sara E. Heins, Stephanie Dellva
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RAND Corporation
view details
Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs): CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
Outlines specific regulatory waivers and Medicare flexibilities for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes information on payments for telehealth services, COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and more. Identifies whether each waiver or flexibility was terminated, ended at the conclusion of the public health emergency, was extended, or became permanent.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Outlines specific regulatory waivers and Medicare flexibilities for Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes information on payments for telehealth services, COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and more. Identifies whether each waiver or flexibility was terminated, ended at the conclusion of the public health emergency, was extended, or became permanent.
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
view details
Mortality Among US Veterans Admitted to Community vs Veterans Health Administration Hospitals for COVID-19
Reviewed 64,856 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) elderly enrollees between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 to compare COVID-19 health outcomes for those admitted to VHA hospitals to those admitted to community hospitals. Discusses access to VHA hospitals for rural veterans. Makes recommendations for future COVID-19 surges and other pandemics.
Author(s): Michael E. Ohl, Kelly Richardson Miell, Brice F. Beck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(5)
Date: 05/2023
view details
Reviewed 64,856 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) elderly enrollees between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 to compare COVID-19 health outcomes for those admitted to VHA hospitals to those admitted to community hospitals. Discusses access to VHA hospitals for rural veterans. Makes recommendations for future COVID-19 surges and other pandemics.
Author(s): Michael E. Ohl, Kelly Richardson Miell, Brice F. Beck, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(5)
Date: 05/2023
view details
Medical Assistants' Telehealth Roles and Skills in Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Study examining the role of medical assistants (MAs) in providing primary care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 10 key informants from national and state primary care organizations were interviewed. Results include discussion about the variation in roles being dependent on organization size and rurality.
Author(s): Samantha W. Pollack, Susan M. Skillman, Tracy M. Mroz, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Study examining the role of medical assistants (MAs) in providing primary care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. 10 key informants from national and state primary care organizations were interviewed. Results include discussion about the variation in roles being dependent on organization size and rurality.
Author(s): Samantha W. Pollack, Susan M. Skillman, Tracy M. Mroz, Bianca K. Frogner
Date: 05/2023
Sponsoring organization: UW Center for Health Workforce Studies
view details
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Patients in Western Pennsylvania: Rural–Urban Disparities
Examines the impact of COVID-19 and related concerns on cancer patients in rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania. Analyzes a sample of 1,980 patient surveys from August-December 2020 and March 2021 by patient perception of pandemic-related distress, cancer care, COVID-19 impact on personal health, and more. Includes rural versus urban data on COVID-19 concerns related to cancer care as well as demographic breakdowns.
Author(s): Kathryn Demanelis, Margaret Rosenzweig, Linda B. Robertson, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 34(7), 595-609
Date: 05/2023
view details
Examines the impact of COVID-19 and related concerns on cancer patients in rural and urban areas of Pennsylvania. Analyzes a sample of 1,980 patient surveys from August-December 2020 and March 2021 by patient perception of pandemic-related distress, cancer care, COVID-19 impact on personal health, and more. Includes rural versus urban data on COVID-19 concerns related to cancer care as well as demographic breakdowns.
Author(s): Kathryn Demanelis, Margaret Rosenzweig, Linda B. Robertson, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes Control, 34(7), 595-609
Date: 05/2023
view details
Vaccine Hesitancy and the Willingness to Recommend the COVID-19 Vaccine to Children in a Rural County on the United States-Mexico Border
Presents the results of a 2022 survey in Cochise County, Arizona evaluating the readiness of Latinx adults to recommend vaccinating children under 5 years and children 5 to 12 years of age. Discusses characteristics linked to support for COVID-19 vaccination of these two groups and other issues regarding the vaccination of children from these groups.
Author(s): Raghu D. Darisi, Audrey J. Buckland, Mario Morales, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 11
Date: 05/2023
view details
Presents the results of a 2022 survey in Cochise County, Arizona evaluating the readiness of Latinx adults to recommend vaccinating children under 5 years and children 5 to 12 years of age. Discusses characteristics linked to support for COVID-19 vaccination of these two groups and other issues regarding the vaccination of children from these groups.
Author(s): Raghu D. Darisi, Audrey J. Buckland, Mario Morales, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 11
Date: 05/2023
view details
COVID-19 Mortality by Race and Ethnicity in US Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas, March 2020 to February 2022
Reviews COVID-19 mortality data for 977,018 adults between March 2020 and February 2022 to examine racial and ethnic disparities between various waves of the pandemic, particularly as it relates to rural or urban classification. Suggests policy changes to reduce mortality.
Author(s): Dielle J. Lundberg, Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, Ahyoung Cho, Rafeya Raquib, Elaine O. Nsoesie, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(5)
Date: 05/2023
view details
Reviews COVID-19 mortality data for 977,018 adults between March 2020 and February 2022 to examine racial and ethnic disparities between various waves of the pandemic, particularly as it relates to rural or urban classification. Suggests policy changes to reduce mortality.
Author(s): Dielle J. Lundberg, Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, Ahyoung Cho, Rafeya Raquib, Elaine O. Nsoesie, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 6(5)
Date: 05/2023
view details