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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Surgery

Use of the Spatial Access Ratio to Measure Geospatial Access to Emergency General Surgery Services in California
Evaluates the ability of Spatial Access Ratio (SPAR) to identify disparities in emergency general surgery (EGS) access in California. Compares the locations of 238 EGS-capable hospitals to the location of California residents with focus on the socio-demographic characteristics of population size, poverty rate, health insurance coverage, and rural or urban status. Table 2 shows access to EGS hospitals by rurality, among other data. Discusses the use of SPAR to allocate resources differently.
Author(s): Marta McCrum, Neng Wan, Steven Lizotte, et al.
Citation: The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, 90(5), 853-860
Date: 05/2021
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Place and Population Matter in General Surgeon Location and Practice Structure
Examines ways in which population changes over time in different geographical regions of the United States have affected the availability of general surgeons and quality of care. Explores the implications of hospital mergers on the viability of rural hospitals.
Author(s): Thomas C. Ricketts
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 4(4)
Date: 04/2021
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Predicting Hospital Choice for Rural Residents Seeking Elective Surgery
Webinar summarizing research on patient choice in elective surgery. Discusses the impact of patient choice on rural hospital financial viability, patient and hospital factors impacting choice, and opportunities for further research. Transcript available in the video description.
Date: 03/2021
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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The Essential Role of Family Physicians in Providing Cesarean Sections in Rural Communities
Policy brief describing percentages of family physicians (FPs) providing obstetric services and cesarean deliveries as the primary surgeon, using data from the 2017 and 2018 American Board of Family Medicine's Family Medicine Certification Examination registration questionnaire for FPs seeking to continue their certification. Features statistics with breakdowns by urban, micropolitan, large rural, and small rural locations.
Author(s): Sebastian T. Tong, Aimee R. Eden, Zachary J. Morgan, Andrew W. Bazemore, Lars E. Peterson
Citation: Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 34(1), 10-11
Date: 01/2021
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Rural Disparities in Surgical Care from Gynecologic Oncologists Among Midwestern Ovarian Cancer Patients
Compares the surgeries of 1,003 rural and urban women between 18 and 89 with ovarian cancer between 2010 and 2012 in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa with particular focus on access to gynecologic oncologist specialists. Discusses referral practices, distances to specialists, and outcomes of surgeries with specialists compared to non-specialists.
Author(s): Kristin Weeks, Charles F. Lynch, Michele West, et al.
Citation: Gynecologic Oncology, 160(2), 477-484
Date: 11/2020
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Nursing Preparedness: Words from Researchers and Rural Nurses
Focuses on job preparedness for rural nurses. Features three rural registered nurses and a nursing doctoral candidate sharing their experiences and insights about rural nursing preparedness.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 11/2020
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Buyback Program of Unused Prescription Opioids in US Rural Communities, 2017–2018
Describes a buyback intervention that was designed to encourage rural, ambulatory surgery patients to return unused prescription opioids to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. Provides data on patient characteristics as well as percent of opioids prescribed and returned during 2017 and 2018. Includes implications for public health.
Author(s): Jean Liu, Julie Franklin, Frank Gesek, Joseph Anderson
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1318-1324
Date: 09/2020
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High-Volume Invasive, Therapeutic Ambulatory Surgeries Performed in Hospital-Owned Facilities, 2016
Examines the 20 most common major ambulatory surgeries performed in hospital-owned facilities. Provides data by select patient and hospital characteristics, including urban-rural hospital location.
Author(s): Zeynal Karaca, Kimberly W. McDermott
Date: 09/2020
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Hospitals Face Financial Challenges Due to COVID-19
Describes the financial impact of COVID-19 on Kittitas Valley Healthcare in Ellensburg, Washington. Discusses the decline in emergency department and non-emergency surgery volume and changes to labor costs as a percentage of net revenue.
Date: 07/2020
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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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
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