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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Veterans

Patient Perceptions of Video Visits Using Veterans Affairs Telehealth Tablets: Survey Study
Highlights a study on the perceptions of Veterans Affairs (VA) patients on the use of video-based telehealth via VA-issued tablets. Compares perceptions of rural and urban veterans and discusses some of the healthcare needs addressed through telehealth, including mental healthcare, primary care, and rehabilitation, among others.
Author(s): Cindie Slightam, Amy J Gregory, Jiaqi Hu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(4), e15682
Date: 04/2020
Type: Document
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Prevalence and Severity of Alcohol and Cannabis Use Across the Urban-Rural Continuum in the Michigan National Guard
Highlights a study on rural and urban differences in alcohol and cannabis use among National Guard members in Michigan. Breaks down data by demographic information, mental health issues, and service characteristics, as well as rural versus urban location.
Author(s): Lara N. Coughlin, Maureen A. Walton, Richard McCormick, Frederic C. Blow
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 36(2), 234-239
Date: 03/2020
Type: Document
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Effect of Travel Distance and Rurality of Residence on Initial Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in VA Primary Care Patient with Cirrhosis
Highlights a study on the effect of travel distance on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for veterans with cirrhosis who are being treated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Merges VHA and CMS data and breaks it down by demographics and travel distance to both VA and non-VA medical centers and the patients' primary care providers, among other measures.
Author(s): Yolanda Rodriguez Villalvazo, Jennifer S. McDanel, Lauren A. Beste, et al.
Citation: Health Services Research, 55(1), 103-112
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Eight Priorities for Improving Primary Care Access Management in Healthcare Organizations: Results of a Modified Delphi Stakeholder Panel
Details the results of a panel on improving access to primary healthcare in the Veterans Health Administration. Includes panelists representing rural populations and provides recommendation for improving access management.
Author(s): Lisa Rubenstein, Susanne Hempel, Margie Danz, et al.
Citation: Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(2), 523-530
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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Potentially Avoidable Inter-Facility Transfer from Veterans Health Administration Emergency Departments: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on potentially avoidable inter-facility transfers within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. Details patient characteristics, such as rurality of residence and age, as well as transfer location characteristics, such as number of beds and median length of stay, among other factors.
Author(s): Nicholas M. Mohr, Chaorong Wu, Michael J. Ward, et al.
Citation: BMC Health Services Research, 20,110
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
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VA Health Care: Veterans' Use of Long-Term Care Is Increasing, and VA Faces Challenges in Meeting the Demand
Discusses the increasing demand for long-term care for veterans and evaluates the Veterans Administration's effort to meet that demand. Looks at some the challenges to providing care to an expanding population of veterans, including those in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Defense Health Care: Plans Needed to Ensure Implementation of Required Elements for TRICARE's Managed Care Support Contracts
Report highlights the Government Accountability Office recommendations for the implementation of changes to the Department of Defense's TRICARE managed support contracts that were required by Congress. Evaluates the specific improvements relating to healthcare delivery and touches on their importance in rural areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 02/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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VA Health Care: Efforts to Prioritize and Translate Research into Clinical Practice
Examines how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) sets priorities for funding research, VA efforts to facilitate translation of research into clinical practice, and coordination between VA's research program and other parts of the VA. Briefly highlights a research study on the use of telemedicine outreach for rural veterans with PTSD.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 01/2020
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Associations Between Stopping Prescriptions for Opioids, Length of Opioid Treatment, and Overdose or Suicide Deaths in US Veterans: Observational Evaluation
Highlights a study on the correlation between halting treatment for opioid use disorder, length of treatment, and death from overdose or suicide among Veterans Health Administration patients. Breaks down data by age, sex, and rural status among other factors.
Author(s): Elizabeth M Oliva, Thomas Bowe, Ajay Manhapra, et al.
Citation: BMJ, 2020: m283
Date: 2020
Type: Document
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Buyback Program of Unused Prescription Opioids in US Rural Communities, 2017–2018
Describes a buyback intervention that was designed to encourage rural, ambulatory surgery patients to return unused prescription opioids to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital. Provides data on patient characteristics as well as percent of opioids prescribed and returned during 2017 and 2018. Includes implications for public health.
Author(s): Jean Liu, Julie Franklin, Frank Gesek, Joseph Anderson
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 110(9), 1318-1324
Date: 2020
Type: Document
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