Behavioral health: setting the rural health research agenda.
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).
Hartley
David
D
Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, Portland 04104, USA. davidh@usm.maine.edu
Britain
Catherine
C
Sulzbacher
Stephen
S
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