The Impact of Telehealth Services on Healthcare Access on Healthcare Access in Rural Communities P: Adults living in rural communities I: Telehealth services C: Traditional in-person healthcare services O: Improved healthcare access and patient satisfaction Research Question(s): Among adults living in rural communities, do telehealth services improve healthcare access and patient satisfaction compared to traditional in-person healthcare services?
Reference 1
Title: Rural patient and provider perceptions of telehealth implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract: This study polled both patients and providers from a rural Michigan healthcare system about their perceptions of telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of patients and providers had a positive attitude about telehealth, although there was some lower approval among older participants, and there were some complaints about technology issues. There was no significant difference between the rates of missed appointments with telehealth and in-person visits. The authors conclude that while telehealth adds value in rural primary care, ongoing technical support and care-coordination improvements are needed to sustain it.
Authors: Klee, D., Pyne, D., Kroll, J., James, W., & Hirko, K. A. (2023)
Journal: BMC Health Services Research, 23(1), 981
Link to article (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09994-4
Reference 2
Title: An analysis of telehealth in a post-pandemic rural, Midwestern community: increased comfort and a preference for primary care
Abstract: This study was a cross-sectional survey of residents of a rural Midwestern county to document changes in telehealth use and attitude before and during the pandemic and post-pandemic, as well as internet access data. There was a strong uptake in telehealth during the pandemic, and there was a slight reduction in uptake since then, although perceptions of internet speed and reliability were seen as closely related. A large number of residents said they would be using telehealth again if their trusted provider recommended it.
Authors: Salmon, C., Bell, K., Reyes, E., Ireland, E., & Danek, R. (2025)
Journal: BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 270
Link to article (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12413-5
Reference 3
Title: Video and Telephone Telehealth Use and Web-Based Patient Portal Activation Among Rural-Dwelling Patients: Retrospective Medical Record Review and Policy Implications
Abstract: The study looked at the proportion of patients who used video versus only phone-based telehealth in health records from patients at an urban medical center across various patient demographics in rural California. Patients who could only see the provider on the phone were more likely to be older, Latino, primary Spanish-speaking, or covered by public insurance, and less likely to have an active patient portal account. The findings suggest a gap in access to higher-quality virtual care services between these groups. The authors suggest a range of policy recommendations, including providing support for digital literacy, making outreach in the native language, and sustaining reimbursement for telephone visits to address these gaps.
Authors: Rowe Ferrara, M., Intinarelli-Shuler, G., & Chapman, S. A. (2025)
Journal: Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e67226
Link to article (DOI): https://doi.org/10.2196/67226
Reference 4
Title: Social vulnerability, lower broadband internet access, and rurality associated with lower telemedicine use in U.S. Counties
Abstract: In this study, nearly 8 million telemedicine sessions were analyzed on a national platform to examine the association between social vulnerability, broadband access, and rurality with telemedicine use in 2022. High broadband rates had a positive effect on telemedicine use, and broadband had a larger effect in urban counties. The authors state that the lack of broadband technology is not the only factor responsible for the gaps in telemedicine in rural areas. The authors believe that overcoming disparities in rural telemedicine will require a focus on more than just bandwidth and availability – it will also require consideration of local availability of telemedicine services and community-specific barriers.
Authors: Cummins, M. R., Wong, B., Wan, N., Han, J., Shishupal, S. D., Gouripeddi, R., Ivanova, J., Franklin, A., Johnny, J., Ong, T., Welch, B. M., & Bunnell, B. E. (2025)
Journal: JAMIA Open, 8(4), ooaf056
Link to article (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1093/jamiaopen/ooaf056
Reference 5
Title: Disparities in Substance Use Disorder Telehealth Services
Abstract: This study examined changes in telehealth use for treating SUDs among more than 16 million U.S. adults from 2019 to 2023, both during and after the COVID-19 public health emergency, by insurance type and rurality. The percentage of treatment delivered via telehealth increased for those enrolled in commercial insurance and Medicare Advantage, while the percentage of those enrolled in Medicaid was less than that of in-person treatment, despite the fact that the volume of treatment for those enrolled in Medicaid decreased. However, use of telehealth-based treatment narrowed the urban-rural divide as the number of rural patients using telehealth-based treatment increased more rapidly than the number of urban patients. The authors recommend that telehealth's purported benefits for enhanced access to treatment are not equally distributed among populations and that Medicaid policy should be especially mindful of ensuring low-income patients can keep up with telehealth.
Authors: Saxe Walker, L., Cui, M., Cantor, J., Craff, M., Damberg, C. L., Mafi, J. N., & Kahn, K. L. (2025)
Journal: JAMA Network Open, 8(2), e2459606
Link to article (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.59606
provide an outline of your paper. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate your ability to review and summarize five (5) original research articles on a health Services Administration topic. Remember, use the five (5) research articles proposed in assignment #3 submission.
Paper Outline
I. Introduction
- a. Motivation to study this topic (Why this work is important; keep general and cite statements)
- b. Objectives (Goals of this paper) 3 minimum
- c. Organizational overview of the paper (will review 5 research articles etc.).
II. Literature Review
- a. background information on the topic
- b. specific information to assist the reader’s understanding
- c. key terms (3 minimum)
III. Analysis Approach (What was done; describe the population/subjects, methods, type of research; statistics used, etc.)
- a. authors last name (Research article 1)
- b. authors last name (Research article 2)
- c. authors last name (Research article 3)
- d. authors last name (Research article 4)
- e. authors last name (Research article 5)
IV. Results (What was found)
- a. authors last name (Research article 1)
- b. authors last name (Research article 2)
- c. authors last name (Research article 3)
- d. authors last name (Research article 4)
- e. authors last name (Research article 5)
V. Discussion (how results contribute to knowledge in the field, e.g. compare results to literature)
- a. Heading for discussion
- b. gaps in the research review
- c. overall strengths and weaknesses of the research articles
- d. Needed future work in the field
VI. Conclusions
- a. Summary of objectives and approach of this paper
- b. Major findings of this paper
- c. Important implications of this paper’s findings
- d. Recommendations based upon the review of these 5 research articles
Assignment #4 example.docx