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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Physical therapy

Physical, Speech, Rehabilitative, or Occupational Therapy Use Among Adults Aged 25–64, by Veteran Status: United States, 2019–2020
Describes the use of physical, speech, rehabilitative, or occupational therapy in the past 12 months by veteran status among adults aged 25-64. Includes data for large central metro, large fringe metro, medium and small metro, and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): Peter Boersma, Robin A. Cohen
Date: 07/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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2020 Missouri Physical Therapy Workforce Report
Provides an overview of the physical therapist/physical therapist assistant (PT/PTA) workforce in Missouri, including county-level data on license renewals, provider to population ratios, and more.
Date: 10/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Missouri Center for Health Policy
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Did Access to Care Improve Since Passage of the Veterans Choice Act?: Differences Between Rural and Urban Veterans
Examines wait times among rural and urban veterans for physical therapy, cardiology, optometry, orthopedic, and dental services. Features demographic statistics for fiscal year (FY) 2015 with breakdowns by rural or urban patients, and average consult wait times during FY 2015 and FY 18 with breakdowns by urban or rural location, service types, and care settings.
Author(s): Deborah Gurewich, Michael Schwartz, Erin Beilstein-Wedel, Heather Davila, Amy K. Rosen
Citation: Medical Care, 59(6), S270-S278
Date: 06/2021
Type: Document
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Quality Time: Sharing PIE - Using "Small Data" to Drive Big Improvements
Podcast episode exploring how two Critical Access Hospital (CAH) leaders utilize data for quality improvement. Discusses how different kinds of data have informed quality improvement initiatives and considerations for analyzing data in low-volume contexts.
Date: 06/2021
Type: Audio
Sponsoring organization: Stratis Health
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A Comparison of Rural and Urban Specialty Hospitals
Results of a study examining differences in long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities in urban and rural areas. Features statistics on ownership type, location, number of beds, percent of inpatient days for rural residents, percent of inpatient days for Medicare beneficiaries, operating expenses, percent of Medicaid days, and profitability.
Author(s): George H. Pink, Andrew Osgood, Pranathi Sana
Date: 09/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Alaska Health Workforce Coalition 2017-2021 Action Agenda
Outlines priorities and provides guidance on system and capacity building initiatives to address Alaska's healthcare workforce needs. Includes discussion on rural recruitment programs, such as loan repayment and incentives, and a rural professional recruiting network.
Date: 2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce, University of Alaska Statewide Workforce Programs
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Rural Promising Practice Issue Brief: Using Clinical Video Telehealth to Provide Comprehensive Care to Rural Veterans with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Presents a report on the VHA's use of video telehealth in clinical settings to provide access to treatment for rural veterans with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Discusses implementation strategies and the roles of neurologists, physical therapists, and telehealth support staff.
Additional links: Overview
Date: 11/2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Utah's Physical Therapist Workforce, 2016
Describes the composition of Utah's physical therapy workforce in 2016. Includes statistics on demographics, practice characteristics, rural and urban distribution, and the supply and demand of physical therapists in Utah. Offers policy recommendations to strengthen the rural workforce.
Author(s): Jaron Halford
Date: 2016
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Utah Health Workforce Information Center
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Rural Veterans: A Special Concern for Rural Health Advocates
Policy brief describing the special healthcare needs of rural veterans. Offers policy recommendations to address these issues. Covers access to primary care, specialty care, physical therapy, women's health services, and mental health services focusing on traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Author(s): J. Alison Alfers, Hilda R. Heady
Date: 02/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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The Trend Toward the Clinical Doctorate in Allied Health: Implications for Rural Communities
Examines how the transition to the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree has affected the supply and quality of rural physical therapy care.
Author(s): Janet K. Freburger, Jennifer King, Rebecca Slifkin
Date: 08/2008
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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