This issue brief explores how hospitals can use telehealth services to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. It discusses approaches to deliver telehealth services and provides guidelines to consider when developing a telehealth strategy. It also provides examples of how rural hospitals are using telehealth services to meet community needs. Read more here.
Improving the Care of Students with Diabetes in Rural Schools Utilizing an Online Diabetes Education Program for School Personnel
This research analyzes the impact of Diabetes Care at School: Bridging the Gap, an online diabetes education program, to determine the knowledge and confidence of school personnel who provide care to students with diabetes in rural areas. Read more here.
Deaths from Fall-Related Traumatic Brain Injury — United States, 2008–2017
This research reports on national and state rates and trends for traumatic brain injury (TBI) related deaths caused by unintentional falls. It includes data by decedent characteristics, including location in a metropolitan or nonmetro area. Read more here.
The Behavioral Health Workforce in Rural America: Developing a National Recruitment Strategy
This project describes successful strategies to recruit and retain behavioral health workers in rural areas, based on phone interviews with state-level experts in rural health and behavioral health. It explores financial incentives, education and training programs, telehealth, licensure or scope of practice changes, innovative state approaches, and policy considerations. Read more here.
Depressed, Rural Moms Face Greater Health Challenges—and so Do Their Kids
This article summarizes research that found rural, low-income mothers with chronic depression were likely to experience more health problems and face challenges in dealing with their children’s behavioral problems. It discusses how physician distrust and stigma keep rural mothers from seeking mental health treatment. Read more here.
Working to Advance the Health of Rural Americans: An Update from the ABFM
This article covers existing disparities between the health of rural and urban Americans and describes research from the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) on the role of Family Physicians (FPs) in improving rural healthcare delivery. It includes proposed solutions from the ABFM to maintain the presence of FPs in rural areas. Read it here.
Exploring Opportunities to Leverage Pharmacists in Rural Areas to Promote Administration of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
Abstract
Rural pharmacists have been identified as potential partners, along with health care providers, schools, and public health agencies, in administering and promoting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. We sought to understand the role of pharmacists in this work. We interviewed 11 pharmacists working at independently owned pharmacies in Iowa to explore their perspectives on HPV vaccine administration and promotion. Most pharmacists agreed that HPV vaccination was within their professional scope. They identified factors that facilitate vaccine administration (eg, accessibility of pharmacies). They also reported personal barriers (eg, lack of information, concerns about safety) and organizational barriers (eg, time and staff capacity). Future work should focus on alleviating barriers and building on strengths to improve vaccination rates and ultimately prevent HPV-related cancers.
Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP
March 13, 2020
This report presents the Commission’s analysis of three policy issues of interest
to Congress:
• Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments that support
the nation’s safety-net hospitals;
• state reporting on the quality of care provided to individuals with either
Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as
required under the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes
Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act of
2018 (P.L. 115-271) and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-
123); and
• the timeliness and quality of evaluations of Medicaid demonstrations.
Vital Signs: Colorectal Cancer Screening Test Use — United States, 2018
From The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Summary
What is already known about this topic?
Screening for colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer death among cancers affecting men and women, reduces incidence and mortality. The percentage of persons who report being up to date with CRC screening has increased, but not equally among all populations. Continue reading the full report
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Request
March 18, 2020
SUMMARY:
For the “Opioid Management in Older Adults” project, AHRQ is seeking to identify innovative approaches to managing opioid medications for chronic pain that are particularly relevant for older adults. Use of long-term opioid therapy in older adults can be especially problematic because of increased risks such as delirium, falls, and dementia.
Learn how to submit here.