Related Guides on this Topic
You may also want to see these guides on related topics:
Health Information
Technology, Telehealth
Introduction
Americans are connecting to the Internet, and becoming
dependent on this technology for global communication, information,
and commerce, in record numbers; over sixty percent of households
now report having personal computers, with the great majority linked
to the Internet via high-speed access. And while Internet users
continue to expand at unprecedented rates, there is, nevertheless,
a discrepancy among those users: urban vs. rural. According to
a 2004 Pew Internet & American Life Project study, rural usage
of the internet is a full ten percentage points behind urban numbers
- a phenomena which has come to be known as the digital divide.
Upon closer investigation it has become apparent this divide goes
beyond simple geography, it can also be dependent upon race and
economic status, resulting in unequal access for rural areas, particularly
Native American communities. In short, urban users typically have
access to the internet in their homes, their schools and community
facilities, while their rural cousins find that all too often,
clean air and wide open spaces sometimes translates into being
left behind in this technological age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
AHRQ National Resource Center for Health Information Technology
Web site
A central, national source of information to assist health care providers adopt and use health information technology. Web site includes a variety of documents, Web links, funded HIT project outcomes, and funding opportunity
announcements.
Broadband Opportunities for Rural America
Web site
Provides a clearinghouse of information and resources on broadband opportunities for rural America.
Chief Information Officers (CIO) Council
Web site
Serves as the principal interagency forum for improving practices in the design, modernization, use, sharing, and performance of Federal Government agency information resources.
Council on Technology and Innovation
Web site
Provides improved methods for developing practical information about the clinical benefits of new medical technologies resulting in more efficient coverage and payment of these medical technologies.
Digital Divide Basics Fact Sheet
Web site
A broad overview of the extent of computer and Internet use in the U.S. and globally. Contains statistics and resources.
eStrategy.gov
Web site
Develops, coordinates, and defines ways that electronic and information technology business strategies can assist the Office of Management and Budget, interagency committees and other federal agencies to enhance access and delivery of information and services to citizens, business partners, employees, agencies, and government entities.
FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Web site
Web site with information regarding a pilot funding program to facilitate the creation of a nationwide broadband network dedicated to health care, connecting public and private non-profit health care providers in rural and urban locations.
Find State and Local Technology Resources
Web site
Users can select a state or territory from a map or list of states to find the technology resources in a specific area for people with disabilities.
Health IT.gov
Web site
Health IT initiatives harness current information technologies to improve patient safety while reducing the cost of providing care. Some of the numerous benefits of health IT initiatives will include a reduction in medical errors, avoidance of costly duplicate testing, and elimination of unnecessary hospitalizations.
HUD USER
Web site
Primary source for Federal Government reports and information on housing policy and programs, building technology, economic development, urban planning, and other housing-related topics. Produced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R).
Managing Information with Rural America (MIRA)
Web site
Describes projects funded by the MIRA program to help rural communities choose appropriate uses of technology to address issues such as economic development, education, health, and leadership.
NHINWatch
Web site
A comprehensive Web site covering the creation of a Nationwide Health Information Network in the United States.
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Web site
Provides leadership for the development and nationwide implementation of an interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality and efficiency of health care and the ability of consumers to manage their care and safety.
Rural Health Research: Technology
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of technology, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
Rural Health Resource Center HIT Tools and Resources
Web site
Provides tools, documents, state profiles, funding, legislation and organizations that focus on Health Information Technology for rural healthcare communities.
Rural Telecommunications
Web site
Provides an overview of the issues communication and information services, what is determining market penetration, government telecommunication policy, and the suitability of various technologies in rural regions.
Technology Opportunities Program: Support for Innovations in Health Care
Web site
Provides information on the types of grant projects, offers a searchable database of all the grants, has links to the websites of nearly 300 TOP grantees, and connects to a resource center for current TOP grantees.
USA.gov
Web site
The official U.S. web portal to all federal government information and services.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2004 Update of Links to the Future: The Role of Information and Telecommunications Technology in Appalachian Economic Development
Author(s): Michael Oden, Sharon Strover
Sponsoring organization: Appalachian Regional Commission
Update to a 2002 report on the status of information, computing, and telecommunications technologies in the Appalachian Region. Includes information on broadband Internet access in the region.
Date: 06 / 2004
Broadband Use by Rural Small Business
Author(s): Stephen B. Pociask
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Small Business Administration
Describes the urban-rural digital divide in the provision of broadband services and the impact this can have on rural small businesses. Includes comparison of rural versus urban broadband costs and demographics of broadband users. Also discusses the use of VoIP (voice over IP) in rural versus urban areas.
Date: 12 / 2005
Costs and Benefits of Health Information Technology: Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 132
Author(s): Paul Shekelle, Sally C. Morton, Emmett B. Keeler
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Assesses the evidence base regarding benefits and costs of health information technology (HIT) systems in various healthcare settings. Widespread implementation of HIT has been limited by a lack of knowledge about what types of HIT and implementation methods will improve care and manage costs for specific health organizations.
Date: 04 / 2006
CRS Report for Congress: Broadband Internet Access and the Digital Divide: Federal Assistance Programs
Author(s): Lennard G. Kruger, Angele A. Gilroy
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
Covers broadband Internet access issues in rural and underserved areas. Also covers the federal assistance programs as well as state and local broadband activities.
Date: 04 / 2007
Disability and the Digital Divide: Comparing Surveys with Disability Data
Sponsoring organization: Research and Training Center on Disability in Rural Communities
Discusses how surveys consistently report that people with disabilities have only half the rate of Internet access of people without a disability. Despite regular increases over time, people with disabilities have not caught up, and still face a significant digital divide.
Date: 06 / 2006
E-Health and the Elderly: How Seniors Use the Internet for Health Information
Author(s): Victoria Rideout, Tricia Neuman, Michelle Kitchman, Mollyann Brodie
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation
Reports and interprets key findings from a national survey of older Americans that was conducted to determine how seniors use the Internet for health information.
Date: 01 / 2005
E-patients With a Disability or Chronic Disease
Author(s): Susannah Fox
Sponsoring organization: Pew Internet and American Life Project
Discusses how adults living with a disability or chronic disease are less likely than others to look for health information online, but once online, they are avid health consumers.
Date: 10 / 2007
Expanding Telecommunications Access in Indian Country
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
Guide provides an overview of the FCC, the types of available communications technology, and FCC programs that are aimed at promoting
telecommunications services in Indian Country.
Date: 07 / 2006
FCC's Universal Service Program for Rural Health Care Providers
Sponsoring organization: Federal Communications Commission
Describes the telecommunications support available to rural health care providers through the Universal Service program, benefits of the program, how it works and how it is funded.
Date: 05 / 2004
Few Patients Use or Have Access to Online Services for Communicating with their Doctors, but Most Would Like To
Author(s): Jennifer Cummings
Reports on the results of a Harris Interactive online survey that reveals the medical profession is lagging behind in its use of Internet-based solutions to communicate with patients.
Date: 09 / 2006
Getting Connected: Broadband Services a Key to a Vibrant Rural America
Author(s): Theodore Alter, Jeffrey Bridger, Sheila Sager, Kai Schafft, William Shuffstall
Sponsoring organization: Rural Sociological Society
Describes the current situation of broadband services in rural America and discusses the federal, state, and local broadband policies and policy options.
Journal citation: Rural Realities Volume 2 Issue 1
Date: 2007
Harnessing Technology to Improve Medicaid and SCHIP Enrollment and Retention Practices
Author(s): Beth Morrow, Dawn Horner
Sponsoring organization: Children's Partnership
Reports on extensive research to determine how information technology can be applied to increase coverage of children in Medicaid and SCHIP. Documents promising practices undertaken and identifies additional actions that can occur at the federal and state level to use these tools to benefit the administration of public programs.
Date: 05 / 2007
Health Care Unplugged: The Evolving Role of Wireless Technology
Author(s): Richard Adler
Sponsoring organization: California HealthCare Foundation
Provides an overview of the global wireless revolution. Describes wireless health care applications that are currently available or under development. Considers the impact of these advances, future developments and their implications for health care.
Date: 11 / 2007
Home Broadband Adoption 2007
Author(s): John B. Horrigan, Aaron Smith
Sponsoring organization: Pew Internet and American Life Project
Overview of the rates of broadband Internet access in homes. Includes comparison of rural, suburban, and urban broadband adoption.
Date: 06 / 2007
Home Broadband Adoption in Rural America
Author(s): John Horrigan, Katherine Murray
Sponsoring organization: Pew Internet and American Life Project
Compares rural, urban and suburban availability of broadband access to the Internet from 2001 to 2005. Includes information on the types of broadband used, online activities, and frequency of use.
Date: 02 / 2006
iDelta: Information Technology in the Delta
Author(s): Sandra Johnson, Scott Doron, Linda Hoke, Charity Pennock
Sponsoring organization: Delta Regional Authority
Identifies opportunities and current activities in the Delta Regional Authority (240 counties and parishes in parts of eight southern states) that utilize high-speed Internet access. Includes a literature review and highlights current utilization of broadband.
Date: 02 / 2007
Internet on the Range
Author(s): Peter Stenberg, Mitch Morehart
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
Discusses rural access to the Internet, with information on Internet access available in rural workplaces and households and on farms.
Journal citation: Amber Waves
Date: 02 / 2006
Lessons Learned from the Nine Communities Funded through the Connecting Communities for Better Health Program
Sponsoring organization: eHealth Initiative
Brings together the specific advice from communities in the process of implementing health information exchange (HIE) initiatives as part of the Connecting Communities for Better Health program.
Date: 2006
Lower Cost Domestic Sourcing: A Niche Opportunity for the US
Synthesizes opinions and provides a view of how the US can become a more cost effective global sourcing destination by encouraging and nurturing job creation in smaller American communities, thereby enabling more cost effective IT services delivery in the US.
Date: 07 / 2007
Perspectives on the Future of Personal Health Records
Author(s): Christopher J. Gearon
Sponsoring organization: California HealthCare Foundation
Presents the views of six experts; the technologist, informed patient, physician, employer, and the public health sector on the promises, perils, and challenges of PHRs and the impact they may have in the next few years.
Date: 06 / 2007
Power of Technological Innovation in Rural America
Author(s): Jason Henderson
Sponsoring organization: Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
Explores how technological adoption can help invigorate rural economies by creating new products, improving production processes, and opening up new markets.
Journal citation: Main Street Economist Volume 2 Issue 4
Date: 2007
Profiles of Progress: State Health IT Initiatives
Sponsoring organization: National Association of State Chief Information Officers
A compendium of HIT efforts that focuses on measures state governments have initiated or endorsed through legislation, executive order, or by engaging in public/private or non-profit partnerships with outside organizations.
Date: 11 / 2006
Realizing the Transformative Potential of Personal Health Records
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Permanente
Explores the potential of Personal Health Records
(PHRs) to transform the way care is delivered and received. Examines how consumer-centric health records and related technologies can improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care. Also defines PHRs and the variety of existing technologies
Date: 04 / 2007
Rural Hospitals and Telepharmacy
Author(s): Petra S. Berger
Sponsoring organization: Risk Management and Patient Safety Institute
Describes the implementation of the North Dakota state wide rural telepharmacy project. North Dakota became the first state to pass administrative rules allowing the practice of telepharmacy.
Date: 02 / 2006
Small and Rural IT Challenges
Author(s): Chris Serb
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
Discusses the approaches several small and rural hospitals are finding to address the obstacles to information technology adoption. Covers key technologies, financing, and IT workforce.
Journal citation: Hospitals and Health Networks
Date: 08 / 2006
Strength of Internet Ties
Author(s): Jeffrey Boase, John B. Horrigan, Barry Wellman, Lee Rainie
Sponsoring organization: Pew Internet and American Life Project
Highlights how the Internet, particularly email, supplements the communication people have with others in their network who are geographically dispersed. Extended networks appear to be beneficial in helping people face problems or make significant decisions, such as those related to career changes and education.
Date: 01 / 2006
Technological Change and the Growth of Health Care Spending
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Budget Office
Examines the growth in health care spending from
1965 to 2005 and projects its growth through 2082.
Date: 01 / 2008
Technology and Entrepreneurship: A Cross-Industry Analysis of Access to Computers and Self-Employment
Author(s): Robert Fairlie
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Small Business Administration
This report examines whether computer ownership in the home influences self-employment or entrepreneurship or the types of businesses created by entrepreneurs.
Date: 06 / 2005
Telecommunications: Broadband Deployment Is Extensive throughout the United States, but It Is Difficult to Assess the Extent of Deployment Gaps in Rural Areas
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
Provides information on the current status of broadband deployment and factors that influence the deployment of broadband networks. Addresses rural access to broadband services. Based on case studies in eight states: Alaska, California, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia.
Date: 05 / 2006
Telecommunications: Challenges to Assessing and Improving Telecommunications for Native Americans on Tribal Lands
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
Discusses the status of telecommunications access for Native Americans living on tribal lands, federal programs available for improving telecommunications, barriers to improvements, and how some tribes are addressing these barriers.
Date: 01 / 2006
Toward Equality of Access: The Role of Public Libraries in Addressing the Digital Divide
Sponsoring organization: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Evaluates the role of public libraries in providing access to the Internet. Includes discussion of rural libraries and Internet access.
What Needs to be Done About Big Broadband
Author(s): Milda K. Hedblom
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Policy and Development
Discusses "big broadband" and if public bodies should be investing in and operating the networks in the same way that privately owned companies do? The focus is on rural Minnesota communities.
Journal citation: Rural Minnesota Journal Volume 2 Issue 2
Date: 2007
Organizations
Advanced Technology Program (ATP)
Federal government
Accelerates the development of innovative technologies for broad national benefit through partnerships with the private sector. Supports health data gathering programs.
Alliance for Public Technology (APT)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Works to foster access to affordable and useful information and communication services and technologies by all people.
Benton Foundation
Nonprofit/Foundation
The mission of the foundation is to articulate a public interest vision for the digital age and to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems.
Community Technology Centers' Network (CTCNet)
National organization
A network of more than 1000 organizations united in their commitment to improve the educational, economic, cultural and political life of their communities through technology. Provides resources and advocacy to improve the quality and sustainability of community technology centers and programs at the local, national and international level.
Digital Divide Network (DDN)
Nonprofit/Foundation
An online clearinghouse of news and resources regarding the digital divide.
Foundation for Information Technology Education
Nonprofit/Foundation
A research and development arm of the Association of Information Technology
Professionals (AITP). The Foundation seeks to provide leadership in identifying educational opportunities that will advance the information systems profession.
Internet2
National organization
An advanced networking consortium of universities, industry, and government that promotes and provides both network capabilities and partnership opportunities that together facilitate the development, deployment and use of new Internet technologies.
Markle Foundation
National organization
Works to accelerate information and communication technology in addressing the critical public needs particularly in areas of health and national security.
National LambdaRail, Inc. (NLR)
National organization
A non-profit organization that establishes and maintains a nationwide network broadband infrastructure that is owned and controlled by the U.S. research community to advance the research, clinical, and educational goals of members and other institutions.
North Dakota Telepharmacy Project
State/regional organization
Provides telepharmacy services to remote locations in North Dakota. A collaboration of the North Dakota State University College of Pharmacy, the North Dakota Board of Pharmacy, and the North Dakota Pharmacists Association.
Pew Internet and American Life Project
Nonprofit/Foundation
Explores the impact of the Internet on children, families, communities, the work place, schools, health care and civic/political life. An authoritive source, through research, for timely information on the Internet's growth and societal impact.
Rural Health Resource Center (RHRC)
National organization
Provides technical support for the State Offices of Rural Health and their flex coordinators for the Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, focuses on rural practice opportunities for healthcare providers in Minnesota and the surrounding region, does performance improvement with hospitals across the country, and develops the Rural Health Resource Directory of rural consultants and speakers found throughout the United States.
Technology Opportunities Program (TOP)
Federal government
Promotes the widespread availability and use of digital network technologies in the public and non-profit sectors. As of 2004, grant funds are no longer available under TOP.
Telemedicine Research Center (TIE)
Nonprofit/Foundation
A comprehensive, international, quality-filtered resource for information about telemedicine, telehealth, and telemedicine/telehealth related activities.
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Responsible for providing every state and territory in the United States with access to affordable telecommunications services through the Universal Service Fund. USAC administers four programs: the High Cost Program, the Low Income Program, the Rural Health Care Program, and the Schools and Libraries Program.
Terms & Acronyms
Broadband Refers to telecommunications data transmissions in which a single wire can carry multiple channels of data.
Broadband Internet Access A high data-transmission rate internet connection. DSL and cable modem, popular consumer broadband technologies, are capable of transmitting 256 kilobits per second or more, approximately nine times the speed of a modem using a standard digital telephone line.
Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) A system that includes both inpatient orders and the electronic ordering of outpatient prescriptions often referred to as e-prescribing. The CPOE allows physicians and other caregivers to input orders directly into a computer, thereby eliminating problems with handwriting legibility and order transcription.
Dial-up An Internet service feature that allows a computer terminal to use telephone systems (telephone lines) to initiate and communicate with other computers.
Digital Divide The term describes patterns of unequal access to information technology, primarily used with computers and the Internet. The gap exists between individuals who have access to use information technology and those who do not. Often the term is used to describe the discrepancy between those who have the skills, knowledge and abilities to use the technologies and those who do not. The digital divide is often used to refer to whole communities, such as urban or rural, but it is also used to identify residents within a community.
Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) A method for moving data over regular phone lines. A DSL circuit is much faster than a regular phone connection, and the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are the same copper wires used for regular phone service.
E-Government (E-Gov) An abbreviated term to represent electronic government which uses improved Internet-based technology to make it easy for citizens and businesses to interact with the government, save taxpayer dollars, and streamline citizen-to-government communications.
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) A generic term used to describe a computer-based patient medical record that includes patient information regarding diagnoses, test/procedure results and other relevant medical information such as medical appointments and correspondence.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) An independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
Health Information Technology (HIT) A significant infrastructure that involves the application of computer technology to generate, validate, secure and integrate healthcare data so it can be effectively utilized to support the decision-making activities of clinical and administrative professionals. HIT can provide immediate access to patient information, care guidelines for clinicians, or health services that transcend geographic distances.
High Speed Internet Descriptive of a network or terminal that uses electromagnetic waves (including rf, infrared, laser, visible light - and acoustic energy) rather than wire conductors for telecommunications, hence wireless.
Internet A worldwide interconnection of individual networks with an agreement on how to talk to each other, and operated by government, industry, academia, and private parties.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) A company or organization that provides connections to the Internet to companies or individuals via dial-up, ISDN, T1, or other connection.
Internet2 A non-profit broadband networking consortium comprising of 206 universities working in partnership with industry and government to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet.
Multi-channel Multi-point Distribution System (MMDS) A wireless broadband technology for Internet Access. MMDS channels come in six MHz chunks and run on frequencies licensed by the FCC. MMDS is a line-of-sight service, and will not work well in mountainous regions, but it will work in rural areas where copper lines are not available. Also known as Multi-channel Microwave Distribution System and wireless cable.
Non Line-of-sight (NLOS) Refers to the transmission of radio wave signals not requiring a line-or-sight technology. Describes a partially obstructed path between the location of the signal transmitter and the location of the signal receiver. Obstacles that can cause an obstruction in the line of sight include trees, buildings, mountains, hills and other natural or manmade structures or objects.
Personal Health Record (PHR) A collection of important information about a person's health or the health of someone a person is caring for, such as a parent or child. The PHR is actively maintained and updated by both the healthcare provider, the care giver, and the person for whom it belongs.
Wi-Fi A set of product compatibility standards for wireless local area networks (WLAN) based on the IEEE 802.11 specifications. Intended to be used for mobile devices and LANs, but is now often used for Internet access.
Wireless Access Computer terminal access to the Internet or a network which uses wireless technology.
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