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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health information technology

Evaluating Telehealth Adoption and Related Barriers Among Hospitals Located in Rural and Urban Areas
Study examining telehealth adoption in hospitals, comparing rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan areas using 2018 American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Survey data. Discusses barriers to telehealth implementation related to health information exchange (HIE) capacity and patient engagement through health information technology (HIT) systems.
Author(s): Jie Chen, Aitalohi Amaize, Deanna Barath
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 37(4), 801-811
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
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Computerized Capability of Office-Based Physicians to Identify Patients Who Need Preventive or Follow-up Care — United States, 2017
Examines the capability among U.S. office-based physicians to provide electronic reminders to decrease missed care. Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Author(s): Damon F. Ogburn, Brian W. Ward, Alicia Ward
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 69(44), 1622-1624
Date: 11/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan
A guide for federal health information technology (HIT) activities. Identifies current healthcare challenges and opportunities related to HIT. Explains how the federal government intends to use HIT to promote health; enhance care delivery; build a secure, data-driven system; and develop an interoperable HIT infrastructure. Includes discussion of rural needs and opportunities related to HIT.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Federal Health IT Strategic Plan, 2020-2025
Outlines federal goals, plans, and priorities as they relate to health information technology (HIT) and its application across the U.S. Discusses federal efforts to improve broadband access and HIT infrastructure in all areas, including rural and tribal areas.
Date: 10/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy/Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
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A Sustainable Model for Preventive Services in Rural Counties: The Healthier Together Study
Describes a study of a patient outreach program in rural Oklahoma that brought together wellness coordinators, primary care providers, county health departments, health information exchange (HIE) networks, and rural hospitals to provide preventive services. Examines the return on investment for coordinated preventive services and the sustainability of outreach programs to support rural healthcare.
Author(s): Zsolt Nagykaldi, Dewey Scheid, Yan D. Zhao, Bhawani Mishra, Tracy Greever-Rice
Citation: The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 33(5), 698-706
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
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Independent Evaluation of Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+): Second Annual Report
Reports on the first two program years of the CPC+, a CMS primary care payment and delivery reform effort. Discusses CPC+ participating practices, payer partners, and health information technology (HIT) vendors supporting the program. Describes practices changes and outcomes for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. Includes statistics with breakdowns by rural, suburban, or urban practice location.
Additional links: Appendices to the Supplemental Volume, CMS Perspective Report, Findings at a Glance, Supplemental Volume
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Mathematica
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Expect Delays: Poor Connections Between Rural and Urban Health Systems Challenge Multidisciplinary Care for Rural Americans with Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Investigates communication barriers between rural and urban health systems to identify factors that may be contributing to higher risk of major amputation among rural patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) compared to urban patients with DFUs. Barriers for rural providers include time-consuming referrals; poor interactions with urban providers; and data sharing issues due to multiple, disconnected electronic health records.
Author(s): Bryn L. Sutherland, Kristen Pecanac, Christie M. Bartels, Meghan B. Brennan
Citation: Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 13(1), 32
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
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National Trends in the Safety Performance of Electronic Health Record Systems From 2009 to 2018
Evaluates safety performance of electronic health records (EHRs) to prevent potential adverse drug effects (ADEs), assesses hospital EHR safety performance for specific subcategories of potential ADEs, and examines the associations of EHR vendors with safety performance. Features statistics including characteristics of surveyed hospitals, such as hospital size and urban or rural location.
Author(s): David C. Classen, A. Jay Holmgren, Zoe Co, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 3(5)
Date: 05/2020
Type: Document
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Cybersecurity Toolkit for Rural Hospitals and Clinics
Describes 4 steps to help rural clinics and hospitals develop and maintain cybersecurity programs: awareness, assessment, implementation and remediation, and education. Includes a list of resources, checklists, and tools appropriate for all users.
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Low Burden Strategies Are Needed to Reduce Smoking in Rural Healthcare Settings: A Lesson from Cancer Clinics
Details a study on the effectiveness of an electronic health record-based smoking cessation module in providing cessation services to rural cancer patients. Presents data by patient characteristics, services accessed, and rural versus urban location, among other measures.
Author(s): Alex T. Ramsey, Timothy B. Baker, Giang Pham, et al.
Citation: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1728
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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