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Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine, including MUIDSI Core Faculty member Dr. Mirna Becevic recently received nearly $4 million from the Health Resources and Service Administration to establish a center dedicated to improving rural telehealth care.
More than 20% of the United States population – including 30% of Missourians – live in rural areas and face significant challenges to accessing health care. These communities typically have higher mortality rates and limited specialty care, and many of their closest hospitals are at risk of closure.
While the growth of telehealth services has helped, lead researcher Mirna Becevic believes there’s more work to be done.
“This grant will focus on setting up a center that will concentrate on gathering information and data about how telehealth is currently being used in rural communities and what gaps in care exist,” said Becevic, who will direct the center. “This knowledge will be used to recommend policies that will have an actual, actionable impact on patient lives.”