Claudia Schur, PhD

Completed Projects

Public Health System Performance Measurement: Are Standards Applicable to Rural Communities?, Lead researcher
Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Legislation and regulation, Public health
This project aims to increase understanding of how public health governance affects the structure of public health services, and how this in turn influences the strategies adopted for meeting community public health needs in rural areas.

Rural Hospital Participation in the 340B Drug Discount Program, Lead researcher
Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
Funder: Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP)
Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs
The 340B drug discount program enables certain types of safety net organizations to obtain deeply discounted medications, at prices below the 'best price' typically offered to Medicaid agencies. This study used telephone interviews and mail surveys to explore the experiences that rural hospitals have had in seeking 340B eligibility status.

Publications

• 340B Drug Pricing Program: Results of a Survey of Eligible but Non-Participating Rural Hospitals
  Author(s): Andrea Radford, Rebecca Slifkin, Claudia Schur, Karen Cheung
  Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs
  Report Number: Working Paper No. 88 (UNC), Working Paper 2007-01 (Walsh)
  Date: 01 / 2007
  Summarizes the results of a 2006 survey of pharmacy directors at rural hospitals that are eligible but currently not participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which enables certain types of safety-net organizations to obtain discounted outpatient medications.
• 340B Drug Pricing Program: Results of a Survey of Participating Hospitals
  Author(s): Claudia Schur, Karen Cheung, Andrea Radford, Rebecca Slifkin, Marianne Baernholdt
  Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs
  Report Number: Working Paper No. 2007-03 (Walsh), Working Paper No. 90 (NC)
  Date: 05 / 2007
  Presents the results of a survey of pharmacy directors at rural hospitals currently buying discounted outpatient drugs through the 340B program. The purpose was to understand the perspectives of pharmacy directors on the 340B program in general, the financial impact of the program, and which specific program features presented barriers to its broader implementation.
• Perspectives Of Rural Hospitals On Bioterrorism Preparedness Planning
  Author(s): Claudia L. Schur, Marc L. Berk, Curt D. Mueller
  Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Topics: Emergency preparedness, Hospitals and clinics
  Report Number: Policy Analysis Brief W Series No. 4
  Date: 04 / 2004
  Representatives from several rural hospitals met to discuss various aspects of bioterrorist preparedness in terms of workforce and training, physical capacity and supplies, communication, and coordination with other entities. Three main themes emerged from the discussion: 1) Bioterrorism resources have the potential to improve the rural health care delivery system, 2) A "cookie-cutter" model does not work for rural hospitals, and 3) Strategies for coping with a bioterrorist event need to be practical and have dual use.
• Rural Hospitals' Experience with the 340B Drug Pricing Program
  Author(s): Claudia Schur, Karen Cheung, Andrea Radford, Rebecca Slifkin
  Research centers: North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center, Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Topics: Hospitals and clinics, Pharmacy and prescription drugs
  Date: 09 / 2007
  Policy brief describing the results of surveys of rural hospitals participating in the 340B drug pricing program and of rural eligible but non-participating hospitals. Includes information on factors affecting participation in the program and the benefits and challenges of participation.
• Understanding The Role Of The Rural Hospital Emergency Department In Responding To Bioterrorist Attacks And Other Emergencies: A Review Of The Literature And Guide To The Issues
  Author(s): Claudia L. Schur
  Research center: Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis
  Topics: Emergency medical services (EMS), Emergency preparedness, Hospitals and clinics
  Date: 04 / 2004
  Reviews issues affecting rural hospitals' level of readiness for bioterrorist attack. Issues examined include physical capacity, sufficiency of health personnel, preparedness plans, disease surveillance systems, and communication/coordination. Concerns about funding cut across all the issues of preparedness.