Leveraging Health Information Technology and Health Information Management in Rural America: A Health Summit Commentary

Abstract

The use of health information technology (HIT) and health information management (HIM) to provide accurate and timely data to health care providers in poor rural and underserved areas is often seen as a means of optimizing quality of care, reducing medical errors, and reducing cost. 1−11 Research shows that HIT can be an expensive investment that yields minimal benefits if not carefully implemented and, as a result, those groups identified as priority populations may receive substandard care. 2,12−16 Health systems in rural areas have used HIM, HIT, and telehealth in multicomponent efforts to improve quality of care, access, and efficiency. Results include higher productivity and patient satisfaction rates, shorter hospital stays, lower readmission rates, trimmed medical costs, and improved control of chronic conditions. 6,17,18 These findings indicate that telehealth, HIM, and HIT can contribute to improvements in quality and population health in rural settings by monitoring patients, identifying high-risk patients, measuring clinical performance overall and for specific patient groups, and providing clinical decision support. 19 Telehealth, HIM, and HIT applications can also improve access to timely, high-quality care.

A Comparison of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Sexual Risk Behaviors Between Rural and Non-Rural Transgender Persons

“…Achieving this is particularly difficult since transgender persons are considered a hidden population (Meyer, 2001), and they may be difficult to reach in stigmatizing settings. A possible approach to deliver mental health services to rural or hidden transmen is through the use of telemedicine (Madison et al, 2012). Despite continued concerns over its cost and the benefit of telemedicine approaches over face-to-face approaches, most reviews of telemedicine show that it can be an effective approach to health care delivery (Ekeland, Bowes, & Flottorp, 2010).…”

A Comparison of Homeless Male Veterans in Metropolitan and Micropolitan Areas in Nebraska: A Methodological Caveat

“…Committing adequate resources and supporting policies that aim to address rural homelessness in a variety of localities may be important in spurring new ways to reach rural homeless individuals. Technological advances, such as telemedicine and social media, may be leveraged to better serve rural populations (Madison et al 2012), including those who are homeless.…”

Increasing Access to Cholesterol Screening in Rural Communities Catalyzes Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

“…However, this may not be possible in all settings. Other strategies which may help provide this additional care would include the use of trained nurses who could make house‐calls, telemedicine to connect rural patients with physicians, and increasing the level of care provided at health fairs to include pharmacologic management . There is also evidence to suggest that work‐based health care may be effective …”