this study aimed to examine key factors affecting rural female facilitators’ role in participatory rural development in tehran province. since the researchers intended to have a better insight into the facilitators’ role and employ inquiry as a learning forum for bringing about changes for all participants, they preferred to use a case study based upon an appreciative inquiry method. the study ...

OBJECTIVE To test whether nonprofit, for-profit, or government hospital ownership affects medical service provision in rural hospital markets, either directly or through the spillover effects of ownership mix. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Data are from the American Hospital Association, U.S. Census, CMS Healthcare Cost Report Information System and Prospective Payment System Minimum Data File, ...

Transkei is becoming headline news. Until recently this corner of South Africa was known in Britain only to a few tourists for its rolling hills dotted with huts; its "red blanket" tribespeople; and its click-language-recently heard over here in the African musical Ipi Tombi. On 26 October it became the Republic of Transkei-the first "independent African homeland" of South Africa. Like any deve...

BACKGROUND Abdominal aortic aneurysms requiring surgical intervention are generally treated by endovascular means. Such procedures are not always offered in rural hospitals, possibly leaving patients underserved. We reviewed our experience initiating an endoaortic surgery program. METHODS A surgeon in a rural centre was credentialed to perform endovascular aortic aneurysm repair through colla...

Background Despite efforts to construct targeted medical school admission processes using applicant-level correlates of future practice location, accurately gauging applicants' interests in rural medicine remains an imperfect science. This study explores the usefulness of textual analysis to identify rural-oriented themes and values underlying applicants' open-ended responses to admission essay...

This white paper explains the strong roles that nursing can play in using information technology (IT) to improve healthcare delivery in rural areas. The authors describe current challenges to providing care in rural areas, and how technology innovations can help rural communities to improve their health and health care. To maximize benefits, rural stakeholders (as individuals and groups) must c...

In 2008, the American Academy of Dermatology began sponsoring North American dermatology residents to travel to Botswana in sub-Saharan Africa and spend 4 to 6 weeks working with the Botswana-UPenn Partnership, the Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative, Princess Marina Hospital, and surrounding smaller district hospitals. During their time in Botswana, the residents staff the busy out...

Purpose: The United States has about 2100 rural hospitals. Approximately 1300 are Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) with 25 beds or less. CAHs receive cost-based reimbursement through the federal Flex program with the goal to improve quality and access to health care. Reports on quality of care (QOC) and factors that influence quality in CAHs are mixed. This study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Telestroke reduces acute stroke care disparities between urban stroke centers and rural hospitals. Current technologies used to conduct remote patient assessments have high start-up costs, yet they cannot consistently establish quality timely connections. Smartphones can be used for high-quality video teleconferencing. They are inexpensive and ubiquitous among health care...