Prepare a 3–4-page report on new technologies available to rural health care providers for post-hospitalization follow-up care and monitoring. In your report, summarize the issues, identify and explain technologies, and recommend evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

Competency 1: Evaluate scholarly nursing literature that supports evidence-based nursing practice.
Support the recommendations for new technologies with evidence-based research.
Competency 2: Explain ways to promote safe, quality, evidence-based care to populations and communities in health care environments.
Summarize the issue(s) facing rural health care providers’ efforts to deliver quality care.
Competency 3: Identify information management tools and technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.
Explain the use of information management tools and technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.
Recommend three new technologies that improve patient outcomes for patients in rural settings.
Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is consistent with expectations of nursing professionals.
Write content clearly and logically, with correct use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
Correctly format citations and references using APA style.
Context

Rural clinics and health care settings have unique challenges that result in serious disparities. Physical isolation along with economic, cultural, and social differences can greatly affect rural Americans’ ability to lead healthy lives. Residents in rural communities have greater transportation problems, often having to drive great distances to reach medical care. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (2011), “Only about 10 percent of physicians practice in rural America, despite the fact that nearly one-fifth of the population lives in these areas” (para. 1).

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains provisions aimed at addressing provider shortages in rural areas, but progress is slow. In an effort to improve access to care for rural Americans, telehealth networks are being increasingly used to connect patients. Health care providers in remote locations are seeking models for practice that use new technologies to help close the gap between caregiver and patient (National Conference of State Legislature, 2011).