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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services

Impact of COVID-19 on Clinical Trials Costs to Patients
Examines the direct and indirect costs of COVID-19 clinical trial participation to patients and the impact of utilizing remote technologies. Presents an environmental scan of articles published between 2010 and 2023 and discusses barriers to clinical trial participation experienced by underrepresented and rural populations.
Author(s): Keri Calkins, Emily Crabtree, Emily Harrison, Nyna Williams, Kirsten Barrett
Date: 06/2025
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Mathematica
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Provider-to-Provider Telemedicine for Sepsis Is Used Less Frequently in Communities with High Social Vulnerability
Examines the relationship between provider-to-provider emergency department-based telehealth consultation (tele-ED) and the prevalence of sepsis in counties with elevated social vulnerability index (SVI) scores. Analyzes 2016-2019 data from 1191 patients treated in rural, Midwestern EDs, with breakdowns according to patient, provider, hospital, and county characteristics. Discusses the relationship between SVI scores and tele-ED use.
Author(s): Kevin J. Tu, J. Priyanka Vakkalanka, Uche E. Okoro, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(1), e12861
Date: 2025
Type: Document
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Telehealth Access Points (TAPs) Best Practices Guide
Outlines how communities can create Telehealth Access Points (TAPs), public spaces where individuals can access telehealth appointments. Highlights equipment needed, sanitization procedures, scheduling tools, building community partnerships, and more. Includes links to information about different TAP models and additional resources.
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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Extended Reality Telehealth for Rural Spaces
Discusses how extended reality technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and immersive mixed reality, can be used in physical and occupational therapy, mental healthcare, elder care, and veterans healthcare services. Describes potential barriers to implementing extended reality telehealth practices, focusing on rural providers and facilities. Highlights examples of rural broadband and healthcare providers collaborating to implement telehealth services.
Author(s): Joshua Seidemann
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
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Rural Health Research in the 21st Century: A Commentary on Challenges and the Role of Digital Technology
A commentary that discusses barriers to defining rurality, the complexity of rural culture, and the importance of digital equity in rural communities.
Author(s): Mairead Moloney, Jasmine Rubio, Israel Palencia, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Electronic Case Reporting Roadmap - For Tribes and Tribal Epidemiology Centers
Report discusses the benefits of electronic case reporting (eCR) for tribal public health authorities and epidemiology centers (TECs). Highlights challenges in implementing eCR as well as the benefits of electronic disease surveillance conducted by Tribes and TECs. Presents guidance on the planning, implementation, and funding of tribal eCR.
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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Identifying Best Practices for Improving the Evaluation and Management of Stroke in Rural Lower-Resourced Settings: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Discusses the value of quality improvement and expanded stroke service availability in underserved rural and remote settings. Identifies disparities in stroke care access and patient outcomes, and provides strategies related to policy, investment, training, and inter-organizational cooperation which address challenges in prehospital, inpatient, and postacute care, thrombolysis and ED care, patient transfers, and thrombectomy.
Author(s): Kori S. Zachrison, Kaiz S. Asif, Sherita Chapman, et al.
Citation: Stroke
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
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Health Information Technology Adoption and Utilization in Behavioral Health Settings
Explores the adoption and use of health information technology (HIT) among behavioral health providers. Presents findings from a literature review and focus group interviews regarding digital strategies that support integrated care models between physical health and behavioral health. Discusses how a lagging adoption and interoperability of HIT may affect community-based behavioral health providers working with underserved populations. Identifies policy considerations to increase interoperable HIT use among behavioral health providers. Includes rural references throughout.
Author(s): Michelle Dougherty, Rebecca McGavin, Meagan Pilar, Marc Horvath, Stephen Brown
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, RTI International
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Rural Health
Provides an overview of artificial intelligence (AI), applications of AI, and how AI can be used in healthcare. Discusses how AI can impact rural healthcare and considerations for AI use in healthcare.
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers
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2024 Nebraska Rural Poll Research Report: Artificial Intelligence
Analyzes 2023 Nebraska Rural Poll results of a survey of 1,010 rural Nebraskans regarding their use of and opinions on artificial intelligence (AI). Includes data on their perceptions of AI use in healthcare, personal well-being, workforce, and more.
Author(s): Heather Akin, Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, Mary Emery, et al.
Date: 12/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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