PURPOSE Differences in stroke care quality for patients in rural and urban locations have been suggested, but whether differences exist across Veteran Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) is unknown. This study examines whether rural-urban disparities exist in inpatient quality among veterans with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS In this retrospective study, inpatient stroke care quality was ...

Background & purpose: Since 2005, a reform known as Rural Insurance and Family Medicine Scheme has introduced to primary health care network in Iran in rural areas and small towns. The content of the reform implies a substantial change in those aspects of health centers that mainly could be categorized as structural quality. Although, this is the requirement of all health care providers, they a...

BACKGROUND Maternal mortality and morbidity are public health problems in Nepal. In rural communities, many women give birth at home without the support of a skilled birth attendant, despite the existence of rural birthing centers. The aim of this study was to explore the barriers and provide pragmatic recommendations for better service delivery and use of rural birthing centers. METHODS We c...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability and practice of spirometry, training of technicians, and spirometry features in primary care centers in Spain, evaluating those located in a rural environment against those in urban areas. METHODS An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 by a telephone survey in 970 primary health care centers in Spain. The center...

information & communication technology(ict) is regarded as a means to rural sustainable development in order to reduce poverty, bridge the digital divide and prevent the migration of people from rural areas to cities. to achieve these goals and to deliver governmental services and other essential services needed by rural communities, ten thousand rural ict centers with an investment of $ 280 mi...