Specialized Support to Promote Innovation in Rural Health

Healthcare providers in rural communities often have more limited access to advanced technologies and digital tools than better-resourced health systems, which can lead to differences in care quality and efficiency. Challenges such as limited broadband connectivity, workforce shortages, and constrained budgets can make it even harder to adopt new tools and approaches that support improved health outcomes.

“As states work to modernize systems and strengthen health infrastructure, specialized support can help bridge these gaps,” notes Westat’s Meg Tucker, MS. “Westat is well positioned to support state partners in implementing technological innovations that promote efficient care delivery and strengthen data security. This support also expands access to digital health tools for rural facilities, providers, and patients.”

Infrastructure Matters

Supporting wide-ranging use of health data and tools requires a carefully designed infrastructure to track use and promote health system transformation. Westat rapidly designed and launched a comprehensive national health surveillance system, building everything from the sentinel-event reporting framework to the sample design, as well as ongoing maintenance procedures. We also developed a comprehensive recruitment infrastructure and supporting materials to onboard hospitals efficiently.

We recruited 50 participating hospitals, implemented advanced quality assurance/quality control tools powered by machine learning (ML), and applied statistical process control methods to identify emerging events. To support broad data use, we also created and managed a suite of public-facing web pages that deliver aggregated insights tailored to audiences such as hospital staff and public health researchers.

Navigating the Digital Health Ecosystem

Health system modernization extends to developing the tools to build a digital health ecosystem. One part of this new world is mobile health apps that are rapidly reshaping how people access care, providing users with personalized support and real-time health insights. Westat recently evaluated the impact of a client’s app on opportunities for wellness, empowerment, and recovery to a high-risk rural population. The availability of digital tools not only empowers patients to take control of their own healthcare but also offers the opportunity for streamlined access to their own data.

“Westat’s approach combines technical expertise, rigorous research methods, and practical implementation support to help states and providers adopt solutions that work in real-world rural settings,” says Tanvi Rao, PhD. “We pair methodological rigor with hands-on partnership, supporting recruitment, training, and ongoing system improvement. The result is technology that is not only innovative but also responsive to the needs of rural facilities, providers, and patients.”