title: Behavioral health: setting the rural health research agenda.
abstract: This article seeks to identify current research priorities in the area of rural behavioral health. The method for accomplishing this task begins by identifying several domains where policy has a potential to effect improvements in access or quality but has been hampered by lack of empirical knowledge. In each domain a synthesis of current research summarizes what is known and draws attention to knowledge gaps. Research questions in each domain are proposed. The policy domains are theoretically based, using a conceptual model of access to health care, with a focus on illness level (prevalence), enabling factors (the delivery system, organization and financing, the promise of telemedicine), and predisposing factors (special populations, beliefs, values, stigma).
authors.affiliation: Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, Portland 04104, USA. davidh@usm.maine.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Britain
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sulzbacher
mesh_terms: D001524:Behavioral Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008913:Minority Groups; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000600:supply & distribution; D017216:Telemedicine; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology