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IJERPH
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Innovations in Rural Health Services: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Access
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Innovations in Rural Health Services: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Access

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 1751

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. John C. Higginbotham

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Community Health Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA
Interests: rural epidemiology; rural health disparities

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Rural communities across the globe face unique challenges in accessing quality healthcare services. Geographic isolation, limited resources, and workforce shortages often create barriers that impede the well-being of those living outside urban centers. However, amidst these challenges lie opportunities for innovative solutions to improve rural health.

This issue aims to explore the diverse landscape of health services designed specifically to enhance rural health outcomes. From telemedicine initiatives connecting patients with specialists hundreds of miles away to mobile clinics bringing healthcare directly to remote areas, the spectrum of innovations is vast and promising. Community health workers, armed with knowledge and empathy, serve as the frontline of care in many rural regions, fostering trust and delivering crucial preventive services.

Furthermore, the integration of technology, such as telehealth platforms and health-monitoring devices, is revolutionizing how healthcare is delivered in rural settings. These advancements not only improve access to healthcare, but also empower individuals to take charge of their health through education and awareness.

The articles presented in this issue highlight successful models and address persistent challenges in this field, and enable us to envision a future where geography is no longer a barrier to quality healthcare. Through collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to rural communities, we strive to pave the way for healthier, more resilient populations across rural landscapes.

Prof. Dr. John C. Higginbotham
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • telemedicine
  • mobile clinics
  • community health workers
  • health education programs
  • telehealth 
  • rural health networks 
  • accessible transportation 
  • telepsychiatry
  • rural health clinics
  • health technology innovations

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2928 KiB  
Article
Equitable Care for Older Australians: A Comparative Analysis of Aged Care Workforce Shortages in Metropolitan, Rural, and Remote Australia
by Nicholas Morris, Susan Jaffer, Stacey Ann Rich, Kate Syme-Lamont and Irene D. Blackberry
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 656; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050656 - 22 Apr 2025
Viewed by 589
Abstract
The Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has highlighted the chronic shortages of labour to provide care for those aged 65 and over in rural and remote areas of Australia. This descriptive cross-sectional study compares the availability of care provision [...] Read more.
The Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has highlighted the chronic shortages of labour to provide care for those aged 65 and over in rural and remote areas of Australia. This descriptive cross-sectional study compares the availability of care provision in metropolitan regions with that in rural and remote regions. We analysed the 2021 Australian Census, grouped according to Aged-Care-Planning Region (ACPR), and investigated the numbers of people aged 65 years and over with different levels of care need, both in residential care and in-home. The available workforce in each ACPR was also examined in detail, using occupational classifications reported in the Census, and shortages of doctors, nurses, allied health and other care workers were identified. Overall, an additional 492,416 care hours were needed per week (or 12,958 full-time equivalent (FTE) care workers) in order to bring remote community ACPRs to parity with provision in metropolitan ACPRs. A further 95,342 FTE workers were needed in rural ACPRs to bring these areas to parity with metropolitan ACPRs. Our findings underscore the ongoing disparities in aged care workforce availability between metropolitan, rural, and remote regions of Australia. Addressing these workforce shortages is crucial to ensuring equitable access to care for older Australians, regardless of their geographical location. The implementation of targeted strategies to enhance workforce recruitment, retention, and training in these underserved areas is essential to bridge the gap and improve the quality of care provided to older adults in rural and remote communities. Such strategies could include targeted recruitment campaigns and incentives for professionals to relocate; further capacity for clinical placements and supervision in rural areas; tailoring funding and employment models for rural needs; and strengthening vocational education in regional areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Rural Health Services: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Access)
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18 pages, 1291 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Positive Airway Pressure Compliance and Outcomes in Rural Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Through Telehealth
by Jenna R. Cooper, Kristi A. Acker, James D. Geyer, Monica M. Henderson, Randi Henderson-Mitchell and John C. Higginbotham
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(4), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040522 - 29 Mar 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Introduction: Telehealth approaches have demonstrated benefits in improving positive airway pressure (PAP) compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), improving access to healthcare resources, and improving health outcomes for rural communities. Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot study implemented weekly telemedicine visits [...] Read more.
Introduction: Telehealth approaches have demonstrated benefits in improving positive airway pressure (PAP) compliance in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), improving access to healthcare resources, and improving health outcomes for rural communities. Methods: This quality improvement (QI) pilot study implemented weekly telemedicine visits for four weeks of PAP therapy in rural patients newly diagnosed with OSA. Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores were compared prior to and at one month of therapy. PAP compliance was compared between rural patients who received the telemedicine intervention and a group of patients not receiving the telemedicine intervention. Results: Compliance rates were higher in the intervention group. There was not a significant difference in compliance for the intervention group (M = 63.22, SD = 32.78) versus the control group (M = 46.40, SD = 36.24), t (46) = 1.69, p = 0.099. ESS scores were significantly greater prior to one month of therapy (M = 8.38, SD = 5.70) compared to after one month of therapy (M = 2.83, SD = 2.65), t (23) = 5.22, p < 0.001, d = 1.07. Discussion: This QI pilot study utilized telemedicine to remove barriers to care, improve PAP compliance, and improve health outcomes for this underserved, rural population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Rural Health Services: Bridging Gaps and Enhancing Access)
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