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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Surgery

Disparities in the Utilization of Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer in Rural Nebraska: A Call for Placement and Training of Rural General Surgeons
Examines demographic and clinical characteristics associated with receiving a laparoscopic colectomy and a rural versus urban analysis of patients who received either a laparoscopic or an open colectomy procedure in rural Nebraska. Includes data for both surgical procedures by insurance payer, cancer location and stage at diagnosis, gender, and marital status, among others.
Author(s): Kelli Gruber, Amr S. Soliman, Kendra Schmid, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 31(4), 392-400
Date: 2015
Type: Document
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Rural and Urban Hospitals' Role in Providing Inpatient Care, 2010
Compares inpatient care at rural and urban hospitals. Covers the amount of inpatient care provided, patient characteristics, first-listed diagnoses, number of procedures, and discharge location. Based on 2010 National Hospital Discharge Survey data.
Author(s): Margaret Jean Hall, Maria Owings
Date: 04/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Technology Widens Care Options for Rural Hospitals
Highlights how advancements in healthcare technology help rural providers improve both access and quality of care for patients, in addition to strengthening the financial bottom line for hospitals.
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 02/2014
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Running the Numbers: The Maldistribution of Health Care Providers in Rural and Underserved Areas in North Carolina
Discusses the maldistribution of health care professionals related to population needs in rural North Carolina. Highlights physician workforce shortages in primary care, general surgery, psychiatry, licensed nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
Author(s): Julie C. Spero, Erin P. Fraher
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 75(1), 74-79
Date: 01/2014
Type: Document
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Association Between Dedicated Rural Training Year and the Likelihood of Becoming a General Surgeon in a Small Town
Presents the results of a one-year study to determine if fourth-year residents training in a rural hospital setting would be more likely to practice general surgery over specialized surgery after residency was completed, and if they are more likely to practice in rural areas. The records of 70 surgical residents were divided into two groups: one group completed the rural residency program and the other group did not. Comparisons of the demographic characteristics of the two groups are discussed.
Author(s): Karen Deveney, Mark Deatherage, David Oehling
Citation: JAMA Surgery, 148(9), 817-821
Date: 09/2013
Type: Document
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The Future of Rural Health
Describes the current state of the rural healthcare system and the opportunities for improvement with the passage of the Affordable Care Act. Discusses core concepts of providing primary care, basic mental health and oral health services, surgery and obstetric, pharmacy, eye and audiology services, public health, new models of care, workforce issues, and more.
Author(s): Charlie Alfero, Tommy Barnhart, Darrold Bertsch, et al.
Date: 02/2013
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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Evidence-Based Surgical Care Quality Improvement Programs and Strategies for Critical Access Hospitals
Focuses on evidence-based surgical care QI programs and strategies applicable to inpatient and outpatient surgeries in CAHs. One in a series of policy briefs identifying and assessing evidence-based patient safety and quality improvement interventions for use by state Flex Programs and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs).
Author(s): Jill Klingner, Michelle Casey, Shailendra Prasad, Walter Gregg, Ira Moscovice
Date: 08/2012
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Flex Monitoring Team
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Trends in the Provision of Surgery by Rural Hospitals
Examines changes in the number of rural hospitals that provided surgery between 2001 and 2008. Shows results based on hospital location and Medicare payment classification.
Author(s): George M. Holmes, Saleema A. Karim, George H. Pink
Date: 07/2011
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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The Impact of Freestanding Ambulatory Surgery Centers on Rural Community Hospital Performance, 1997–2006
Describes the impact of ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) on rural hospital markets. Includes a comparison of urban and rural freestanding ASC services.
Additional links: Policy Brief
Author(s): Walter Gregg, Douglas Wholey, Ira Moscovice
Date: 10/2010
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Upper Midwest Rural Health Research Center
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The Crisis in Rural General Surgery
Describes issues rural general surgeons face and why maintaining their supply is important in meeting the needs of the aging rural population.
Date: 04/2009
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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