Assessing Cancer Care Coordination in Rural Health Clinics During a Pandemic

This project leveraged growing collaborative efforts between the University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center (USCRHRC) and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics (NARHC) to assess and improve cancer prevention and control among rural residents. This project aimed to understand how Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) perceived and implemented evidence-based cancer screening and treatment and related intervention strategies before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, this project identified what types of cancer screening are offered in RHCs, their diagnostic, treatment, referral, care coordination, payment, and surveillance processes, barriers and facilitators of evidence-based cancer prevention and control interventions among RHCs, and how these practices, processes, barriers, and facilitators have been affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Along with NOSORH and NARHC, USCRHRC conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study to assess and describe how RHCs provide cancer-relevant services across the continuum of cancer care from prevention through survivorship both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Publications

• The COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Independent and Provider-Based Rural Health Clinics' Operations and Cancer Prevention and Screening Provision in the United States
  Journal Article
  University of South Carolina Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 03/2023
  The provision of Rural Health Clinic (RHC) cancer prevention and screening services was examined to identify any changes pre- and peri-pandemic. The research examined overall provision of cancer prevention and screening services by RHCs and the provision of these services by independent RHCs and by provider-based RHCs.