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

The Status of Telemedicine in Missouri
Provides background information on rural healthcare issues in Missouri and discusses the value of using telehealth to improve rural healthcare access. Discusses policy recommendations such as broadband access and details about eligibility and payment requirements for telemedicine.
Author(s): Dave Dillon, Jim Mikes
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Missouri Hospital Association
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Home is Where the Heart Is: Insights on the Coordination and Delivery of Home Health Services in Rural America
Identifies facilitators and barriers to providing home health services in rural areas, discusses how rural home health services are currently provided, and offers thoughts about the provision of home health services in the future. Addresses electronic health records, reimbursement issues, workforce challenges, value-based payment, and more.
Author(s): Alana Knudson, Britta Anderson, Kellie Schueler, Emily Arsen
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Reform Policy Research Center
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Health Information Technology (HIT) Network Readiness Assessment
Self-assessment tool designed to help leaders identify organizational strengths and weaknesses. Helps health professionals determine a starting point for building a successful HIT network.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Research Highlight: The Virtual Specialty Care QUERI Program - Improving Access to High-Quality Specialty Care for Rural Veterans
Highlights the Virtual Specialty Care (VSC) QUERI Program, a measure to support operational partners, such as the Office of Rural Health, Office of Connected Care, and Mental Health Services, as virtual care technologies are implemented to increase access to specialty care for rural veterans. Discusses the challenges of evaluating rapidly evolving technologies without stifling their development.
Author(s): John Fortney, Greg Reger, Alexis Beatty
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
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Report on Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry
Report to Congress discussing the state of cybersecurity within the healthcare industry. Provides recommendations to unite efforts nationwide and create a stronger healthcare cybersecurity system. Presents risks, imperatives, recommendations, action items, and more, with information specific to small and rural providers throughout.
Date: 06/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force
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The Influence of the Degree of Rurality on EMR Adoption, by Physician Specialty
Study examining the adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) technology based on degree of rurality using Rural-Urban Continuum Codes. Analyzes 2012 data from over 270,000 physician practices on rates of EMR technology adoption and provider specializations. Presents data based on average daily patient volume and type of provider, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
Author(s): Brian E. Whitacre
Citation: Health Services Research, 52(2), 616-633
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
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The Sky's the Limit: Potential of Drone Usage in Rural Healthcare
Reports on how drones could be used in rural areas to address health-related concerns such as search and rescue, mosquito spraying, and delivery of supplies. Describes the July 2015 medical outreach event in rural Virginia where a drone was used to deliver prescription medicine.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Anticipating Economic Returns of Rural Telehealth
Discusses the quantifiable and nonquantifiable benefits of utilizing telehealth services in rural areas across the U.S. Provides tables showing estimated savings on travel expenses, lost wages, and hospital costs by state. Outlines some of the challenges facing telehealth and makes recommendations for future improvements. Links to a video showing the author presenting portions of the paper at a Foundation for Rural Service event.
Additional links: Video Presentation
Author(s): Rick Schadelbauer
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: NTCA: The Rural Broadband Association
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Roundtable Discussion on "Building Native America Together: Infrastructure Innovation and Improvements for the New Administration and Indian Country."
Provides a webinar recording of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), the House Committee on Natural Resources, and participating panelists, discussing infrastructure needs in Indian country. Focuses on healthcare, education, economic development, broadband, and other infrastructure needs.
Date: 03/2017
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
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Use of Cell Phones and Computers for Health Promotion and Tobacco Cessation by American Indian College Students in Montana
Results of a survey given to 153 American Indian students at two rural tribal colleges, designed to inform development and implementation of a text messaging smoking cessation intervention. Features statistics including age, sex, health status, degree of tobacco use, access to computer and cell phone, and frequency of phone and internet use.
Author(s): Jo Ann Walsh Dotson, Lonnie A. Nelson, Sara L. Young, Dedra Buchwald, John Roll
Citation: Rural and Remote Health, 17(1), 4014
Date: 03/2017
Type: Document
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