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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Telehealth

Rural Healthcare Surge Readiness
Resources for rural healthcare systems preparing for and responding to a COVID-19 surge. Includes resources for emergency medical services, inpatient and hospital care, ambulatory care, and long-term care settings. Addresses a wide range of topics including healthcare operations, space, supplies, funding, and more.
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: COVID-19 Healthcare Resilience Working Group
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The Influence of Telehealth for Better Health Across Communities
Describes the use of Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO), a videoconferencing peer learning application used by healthcare providers in predominantly rural areas of Missouri for the treatment of COVID-19–positive patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, COPD, and hypertension. Discusses implications for public health and ways to optimize health system performance.
Author(s): Jane A. McElroy, Tamara M. Day, Mirna Becevic
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 17
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
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Advance Care Planning: New Realities in Times of COVID-19
Examines the challenges of advance care planning, planning for decision-making in times of medical crisis, due to COVID-19. Shares insights from clinicians and others involved in helping rural patients.
Author(s): Kay Miller Temple
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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Insights for What Enhances or Undermines Trust in Hospital Settings
Reviews research on the trust rural and underserved populations have in hospitals. Highlights dimensions of patient trust identified by researchers. Profiles a study by the Colorado Hospital Association examining the relationship between patient and family engagement activities and patient trust in rural hospitals. Includes a discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals.
Author(s): Bonnie Austin Cluxton
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AcademyHealth
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Telepharmacy Rules and Statutes: A 3-Year Update for all 50 States
Surveys the legislative and administrative activity authorizing community-based telepharmacy. Includes a table identifying states that have permitted telepharmacy services through legislation, regulation, or waiver or pilot programs, and states with limitations, prohibitions, or no guidance on these services. Provides an overview of state rules and regulations that limit aspects of telepharmacy implementation. Explores areas for further research and evaluation, including the relationship between telepharmacy and rural pharmacy closures.
Author(s): Jason Semprini, Fred Ullrich, Keith J. Mueller
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis
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Pennsylvania Hospital Transitions HRSA-Funded Program to Online Services and Addresses COVID-19 Stress
Features Butler Memorial Hospital and how it adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlights the switch to online delivery for a chronic disease project funded by a HRSA Rural Health Care Services Outreach grant. Also describes initiatives to address healthcare workforce stress, help patients use tablets to visit with loved ones, and distribute healthy food to the community.
Author(s): Allee Mead
Citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Information Hub
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South Carolina Telehealth Alliance - COVID-19: Resources for Patients and Providers in South Carolina
Features links to resources for online screening, laws and regulations, and reimbursement policies, related to telehealth in South Carolina.
Date: 07/2020
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: South Carolina Telehealth Alliance
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Pennsylvania Mental Health Care Workforce Shortage: Challenges and Solutions: A Staff Study
Provides a discussion of mental healthcare workforce occupations and examines the factors that led to shortages in these fields. Describes how telemedicine can be used to extend the mental healthcare workforce in rural Pennsylvania and determines how state government entities can encourage more people to enter and remain in the mental healthcare workforce. Makes recommendations including increasing the number of psychiatric residencies in rural areas and designating more Rural Health Clinics. Includes a county-level map of Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Author(s): Grant Rosul, Stephen J. Kramer, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Telehealth in Rural America: Disruptive Innovation for the Long Term?
Blog post discussing policy challenges and rural-specific concerns related to telehealth and telemedicine expansion during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Addresses potential impacts of telehealth on rural facilities, Medicaid programs, and policy efforts.
Author(s): Matthew Ralls, Lauren Moran
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Improving Rural Health: State Policy Options for Increasing Access to Care
Discusses strategies from state legislatures and other stakeholders to increase access to healthcare in rural areas. Focuses on policies and policy options for state legislatures in three areas: improving health insurance coverage, safeguarding rural health facilities, and changing rural healthcare delivery. Features examples from Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Author(s): Jack Pitsor
Date: 06/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
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