The purpose of this project is to assess existing national data about the quality of care provided by rural physicians, and to determine what additional information will be needed as CMS moves towards inclusion of all physicians in payment reforms based on quality.

Publications

• The Effect of Health Information Technology on Quality in U.S. Hospitals
  Journal Article
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 04/2010
  This study examines changes in quality of care following adoption of electronic health records among a national sample of U.S. hospitals from 2004 to 2007. The use of computerized physician order entry and electronic health records resulted in significant improvements in two quality measures; larger effects in academic than nonacademic hospitals.
• Meaningful Use of Health Information Technology by Rural Hospitals
  Journal Article
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2011
  This study examines the current status of meaningful use of health information technology in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other rural and urban U.S. hospitals, and it discusses the potential role of Medicare payment incentives and disincentives in encouraging CAHs and other rural hospitals to achieve meaningful use.