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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Telehealth

Telemedicine Increases Access to Buprenorphine Initiation During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Discusses the expanded access to buprenorphine prescription through telemedicine during COVID-19, comparing the experiences of two harm reduction primary care programs in a rural and urban region of New York. Discusses reduced barriers to treatment, particularly delays due to in-person evaluation requirements before to the pandemic, and innovations to opioid use disorder treatment made possible through telehealth.
Author(s): Linda Wang, Jeffrey Weiss, Elizabeth Bogel Ryan, et al.
Citation: Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 124, 108272
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
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Making Connections: A Guide to Starting a Rural HIV Care Telemedicine Program
Offers an overview of a program that provides HIV care to rural Alabama that started as an in-person service in rural clinics and transitioned to a telemedicine program. Includes a 10-step road map for planning and implementing a telemedicine program. Covers considerations for program development, including scheduling, service delivery, legal considerations, barriers and facilitators to planning, and technology. Free to download after registering name, organization, and email.
Date: 05/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AIDS United
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Integrating Cultural Relevance into a Behavioral mHealth Intervention for Native American Youth
An analysis of a behavioral mHealth intervention for Native American communities, ARORA (Amplifying Resilience Over Restricted Internet Access), co-developed with Native American youth, a clinical psychologist, and a community advisory board. Discusses the key themes and critical components of the intervention as identified by members of the Native American community, and offers recommendations to assist other researchers in their development of a cross-cultural design.
Author(s): Vigil-Hayes, M., Collier, A.F., Hagemann, S., et al.
Citation: Proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery on Human-Computer Interaction, 5(CSCW1), 165.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
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April 2021 MACPAC Meeting Transcript
Transcript from the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission's (MACPAC) April 2021 meeting. Covers the review of draft chapters and recommendations regarding high-cost specialty drugs, improving integration through dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), access to mental health services for adults, access to behavioral health services for children and adolescents, electronic health records as a tool for behavioral health services integration, and the non-emergency medical transportation benefit. Also details lessons from states on rebalancing, ensuring quality in Medicaid and CHIP, and what states are learning from the expanded use of telehealth.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Case Study: Avera Behavioral Health
Profiles Avera Behavioral Health, which partners with primary care providers, families, and other healthcare providers via a telepsychiatry network to serve rural communities nationwide. Discusses the development of the Avera Behavioral Health network, goals of the program, innovative approaches, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the network. Highlights key lessons for successful community networks.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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How Grayson County is Getting Connected
Discusses efforts to build broadband infrastructure in Grayson County, Virginia in rural Appalachia. Describes the planning process, health implications of broadband access in the county, and advice for communities seeking broadband.
Author(s): AARP Livable Communities
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AARP
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Medicaid and Rural Health
Provides an overview of rural residents, including socioeconomic characteristics, insurance status, and health status. Explores the availability of healthcare providers in rural areas, with a focus on primary care providers and hospitals. Discusses the role of Medicaid in rural health, as well as Medicaid policies and services that are important for providing healthcare in rural communities.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission
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Broadband in Rural America: Faster Speeds for Home and Healthcare
Highlights the importance of rural broadband infrastructure for access to telehealth, patient portals, and other services. Features a Colorado countywide broadband program, Alabama telehealth services provided via county health departments, and a program providing healthcare access to rural veterans in Kentucky.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act & Related Legislation and Administrative Action Impacting Rural Health
Provides an overview of legislation passed by Congress regarding COVID-19. Identifies provisions relevant to rural healthcare providers, including the Paycheck Protection Program, funding for public health and rural workforce programs, telehealth flexibilities, and more.
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
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States Work to Support Rural Hospitals Despite Pandemic Challenges
Blog post highlighting state-level policies to address and prevent rural hospital closures. Discusses proposals in state legislatures regarding alternative payment methodologies and funding, service delivery models, and the recruitment and retention of a rural healthcare workforce.
Author(s): Beth Giambrone
Date: 04/2021
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
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