The Rural Health Information Hub recently released a toolkit titled Rural Chronic Disease Management. The toolkit compiles evidence-based and promising practices/resources to support chronic disease management programs in rural communities across the United States. Comprised of seven modules, detailed below, the toolkit highlights resources and information specifically focused on developing, implementing, evaluating, and sustaining rural programs for the management of chronic diseases.
Module 1: Introduction to Rural Chronic Disease Management
- This module provides an overview of chronic disease management and background on several leading chronic diseases common in rural areas such as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, cancer, and obesity. It also presents information on the need for, and facilitators and barriers to, implementing chronic disease management programs in rural areas
Module 2: Evidence-Based and Promising Chronic Disease Management Program Models
- This module provides eight evidence-based and promising models and approaches to address chronic disease management
Module 3: Program Clearinghouse
- This module provides examples of federal grantees and other organizations that have developed promising programs designed to improve chronic disease outcomes in rural communities
Module 4: Implementation Strategies for Rural Chronic Disease Management Programs
- This module identifies key considerations for implementing chronic disease management programs in rural communities. Successful programs assess community needs in combination with key partners, cultivate buy-in among program staff and providers, and identify resources needed for implementation. Programs should be tailored to address the specific needs of the community
Module 5: Evaluation Considerations for Rural Chronic Disease Management Programs
- This module provides methods and considerations for conducting evaluations of programs for the management of chronic diseases
Module 6: Funding and Sustainability for Rural Chronic Disease Management Programs
- This module discusses the importance of sustainability planning, highlights several strategies for sustainability, and potential funders
Module 7: Dissemination Strategies for Rural Chronic Disease Management Programs
- This module provides ideas and resources for disseminating findings from chronic disease management programs
For information on preventing chronic diseases, the Rural Health Information Hub also has a toolkit on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.