Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Technology for health and human services
FirstNet: Efforts to Establish the Public-Safety Broadband Network
Testimony describing the First Responder Network Authority's (FirstNet) efforts as it works to establish a reliable, secure, and interoperable national public-safety broadband network. Includes a discussion on the challenges associated with providing coverage in rural areas, and addresses concerns about inadequate communication with tribal stakeholders.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Testimony describing the First Responder Network Authority's (FirstNet) efforts as it works to establish a reliable, secure, and interoperable national public-safety broadband network. Includes a discussion on the challenges associated with providing coverage in rural areas, and addresses concerns about inadequate communication with tribal stakeholders.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Utilizing Patient Geographic Information System Data to Plan Telemedicine Service Locations
Describes a model for determining optimal locations for telemedicine service providers by using electronic health record (EHR) data in a geographic information system (GIS). Demonstrates the method for extracting GIS patient data from EHRs using an EHR sample of 4,027 visits to a neurodevelopmental pediatric service provider in 2011-2012. Discusses potential and limitations for using EHR data and GIS mapping to plan for specific telemedicine interventions.
Author(s): Neelkamal Soares, Joseph Dewalle, Ben Marsh
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 24(5), 891-896
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
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Describes a model for determining optimal locations for telemedicine service providers by using electronic health record (EHR) data in a geographic information system (GIS). Demonstrates the method for extracting GIS patient data from EHRs using an EHR sample of 4,027 visits to a neurodevelopmental pediatric service provider in 2011-2012. Discusses potential and limitations for using EHR data and GIS mapping to plan for specific telemedicine interventions.
Author(s): Neelkamal Soares, Joseph Dewalle, Ben Marsh
Citation: Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 24(5), 891-896
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
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State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative Evaluation: Model Test Year Three Annual Report
Third annual report detailing the findings of CMS's State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative, which tests the ability of the governments in six states - Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont - to accelerate health system transformation in the areas of delivery systems, payment models, information technology, workforce development, and more. Focuses on sharing cross-state progress and findings, state-specific findings and lessons learned, and lessons for policymakers. Additional emphasis is placed on monitoring healthcare experience, utilization, and expenditures in participating SIM states.
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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Third annual report detailing the findings of CMS's State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative, which tests the ability of the governments in six states - Arkansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont - to accelerate health system transformation in the areas of delivery systems, payment models, information technology, workforce development, and more. Focuses on sharing cross-state progress and findings, state-specific findings and lessons learned, and lessons for policymakers. Additional emphasis is placed on monitoring healthcare experience, utilization, and expenditures in participating SIM states.
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, RTI International
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State Innovation Models (SIM) Round 2: Model Design Final Report
Shares results from a federal evaluation of the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative awards, which focused on reforming payment and delivery systems, health information exchanges, workforce development, and sustainability. Provides a summary and review of each awardees' final State Health System Innovations Plan (SHSIP). Includes several suggestions and recommendations for improving rural healthcare delivery, payment, and access.
Author(s): Donald Nichols, Kathleen Farrell, Marisa Morrison, et al.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Shares results from a federal evaluation of the Round 2 State Innovation Models (SIM) Initiative awards, which focused on reforming payment and delivery systems, health information exchanges, workforce development, and sustainability. Provides a summary and review of each awardees' final State Health System Innovations Plan (SHSIP). Includes several suggestions and recommendations for improving rural healthcare delivery, payment, and access.
Author(s): Donald Nichols, Kathleen Farrell, Marisa Morrison, et al.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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