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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Telehealth

Assessing the Unintended Consequences of Health Policy on Rural Populations and Places
Explores health policies that have affected, or could potentially have affected, rural people, places, and providers, in ways that ran counter to policy intent. Examines 6 historical health policies and their effect on rural health systems. Includes a framework for analyzing policy impact on rural populations and places.
Author(s): Keith J. Mueller, Charlie Alfero, Andrew F. Coburn, et al.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Policy Research Institute Rural Health Panel
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The Special Registration for Telemedicine: In Brief
Describes changes to the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) authorizing special registration for telemedicine to increase access to healthcare providers that can prescribe controlled substances using telemedicine, with the goal of helping address the opioid crisis and shortage of mental health providers. Outlines the seven categories for the practice of telemedicine under the authority of the CSA. The Drug Enforcement Administration plans to publish the related proposed rule to finalize the registration process and procedures.
Date: 12/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
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Feasibility of Synchronous Online Focus Groups of Rural Breast Cancer Survivors on Web-based Distress Self-Management
Details a study on a web-based post-diagnosis focus group for women with breast cancer. Bases findings on the perceptions of cancer survivors on the effectiveness of the focus group. Features the perceptions 23 cancer survivors living in rural Nebraska.
Author(s): Robin M. Lally, Christine Eisenhauer, Sydney Buckland, Kevin Kupzyk
Citation: Oncology Nursing Forum, 45(6), E111-E124
Date: 11/2018
Type: Document
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Using Telehealth to Support Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
Provides an issue brief on how telehealth can increase access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD). Addresses how telehealth is used, implemented, and reimbursed, highlighting the implications for MAT.
Date: 11/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
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Looking Back But Leaning Forward: New Opportunities and Challenges for North Carolina's Rural Communities
Issue brief describing efforts among local and state leaders to promote community engagement in rural North Carolina and to address shortages of physicians and advanced practitioners. Also examines challenges faced by rural North Carolina hospitals, uses of telemedicine, plans to promote quality care for children and families, and recommendations for the future.
Author(s): Thomas G. Irons, Margaret L. Sauer
Citation: North Carolina Medical Journal, 79(6), 366-371
Date: 11/2018
Type: Document
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Rural Residents with Higher Educational Attainment Were More Likely to Engage in Telehealth Activities
Bar chart showing 2015 data on the use of telehealth for health monitoring, health maintenance, and health research by education level for rural residents.
Date: 11/2018
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Information on Medicare Telehealth
Report to Congress, as mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act, examining how Medicare patients are using telehealth, particularly in rural areas, with breakdowns by race/ethnicity, age group, and primary diagnoses including mental health issues. Includes an analysis of Medicare claims data regarding high volume services that could be delivered through telehealth, an overview of telehealth models funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, and state-level breakdowns of Medicare telehealth data. Discusses who may benefit from telehealth expansion and barriers to expansion.
Date: 11/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
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Rural Individuals' Telehealth Practices: An Overview
Compares rural and urban use of online health monitoring, online health research, and online health maintenance, which includes communication with healthcare providers. Provides breakdowns by level of education, age, race/ethnicity, income, and other factors. Briefly addresses access to technology, including internet availability.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Peter L. Stenberg
Date: 11/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Leveraging Telehealth to Support Aging Americans
Reviews the potential benefits of telehealth for Americans 65 and older. Covers remote patient monitoring, federal and state regulations, and best practices from health insurers and healthcare providers. Includes case studies from rural areas.
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: AHIP, Coalition to Transform Advanced Care
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More Employers Are Paying for Telemedicine, but Enrollee Take-Up Has Been Relatively Low
Analyzes 2018 Employer Health Benefit Survey (EHBS) data regarding telemedicine trends in employer health plan coverage. Includes discussion on telemedicine improving access to healthcare in rural areas. Covers statistics of telemedicine utilization between rural and urban large employer health plan enrollees.
Author(s): Matthew Rae, Cynthia Cox
Date: 10/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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