Rural Health Research: From Telehealth Access to Community Action

May 21 4:36pm | Jasmine Souers | @jasminesouers

The Mayo Clinic’s Rural Health Research Core at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) continues to expand its network of rural health researchers and community partners. Driven by collaboration through the Midwest Rural Health Research Community Advisory Board (CAB), outreach initiatives, and strategic collaborations, the team is dedicated to identifying key health issues and finding innovative ways to improve healthcare access and delivery in rural communities.

Tool developed with a community-engagement approach helps reveal important findings on telehealth access for cancer care

Accessing cancer care shouldn’t depend on your internet connection or how comfortable you are with technology. Yet for many patients, especially those living in rural or low-connectivity areas, digital barriers continue to limit access to care.

Two recent studies funded by the Noaber Foundation and led by researchers within the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science Rural Health Research Core and Comprehensive Cancer Center (Drs. Christi Patten, Pravesh Sharma and Joshua Pritchett) took a closer look at how broadband availability and digital skills influence patients’ ability to use video visits during cancer treatment.

The first study, titled “Impact of Broadband Availability and Digital Literacy on Video Telehealth Use Among Cancer Patients,” analyzed data from nearly 14,000 patients to understand how internet access and digital literacy influenced telehealth use. Digital literacy was assessed using the 3-item Digital Equity Screening Tool (DEST) developed previously through a community-engagement approach. The other study, “Barriers, Facilitators, and Attitudes Toward Telemedicine Adoption in Oncology,” interviewed 24 cancer patients from low-broadband areas to understand the obstacles, supports, and personal preferences that shaped their experiences with video telehealth versus in-person care.

Working before with community members to develop the novel screening tool DEST, researchers were then able to assess patients' digital literacy and better understand how to improve access to care. "The input from people with lived experience was critical to creating an appropriate assessment tool," noted investigator Joshua Pritchett, M.D. "With the right tool, our study was able to dig deeper than looking at broadband service alone as a barrier to access to telehealth."

Together, these findings emphasize both the structural challenges and human stories behind telehealth adoption—and highlight practical ways providers and communities can help ensure that all patients have access to the care they need.

Read the full research discovery blog post to learn more about the studies in greater detail and how these insights can inform cancer care delivery.

Community engagement featured at WomenWise annual symposium

Rural communities are shaping health research by sharing their experiences. This was a central message of the WomenWise Symposium held April 29, 2026, in Rochester, MN. The event highlighted how community-based participatory research (CBPR) strengthens patient-centered studies by involving community members throughout the research process.

WomenWise is funded through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and co-led by Drs. Pravesh Sharma and Christi Patten. The project is focused on understanding community needs for research to improve the prevention and treatment of alcohol misuse among women. Central to the program is a commitment to involving women with lived experience in shaping research priorities and outcomes.

WomenWise started in 2024 with the formation of a 17-member Community Advisory Board (CAB) to create and disseminate educational materials. CAB members co-developed educational materials, and in 2025, hosted five focus groups that included 51 women who shared their lived experience with alcohol misuse and treatment. Qualitative analysis of transcripts from the sessions identified key themes, which CAB members then prioritized to guide the project’s ongoing work.

The symposium’s keynote speaker was Vesna Garovic, M.D., Ph.D., Consultant, Division of Nephrology & Hypertension, Department of Internal Medicine and Director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). As a clinician and researcher who has dedicated her career to women’s health, she spoke about the importance of representation in research and involving community as partners in the research to achieve better outcomes. She provided insights into CCaTS’ s vision for patient-centered and translational science where community engagement is a key pillar.

Attendees also heard from community members who have participated in community engaged research. Tabetha Brockman, Program Manager for the Rural Health Research Core within CCaTS, led a discussion on ways rural community can engage in research efforts. Community Advocates, Carolyn Peterson, MS.., M.B.I. and Deisy Canon Lovera, M.S., shared personal reflections on what it means to have a voice in research. Shaped by experiences living in rural communities and as a Latina immigrant, respectively, both speakers described how contributing their perspectives helps address health disparities and the relevance, accessibility, and quality of healthcare research, particularly for underserved communities.

The event brought together clinicians, researchers and community members for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Discussions centered on priority topics identified through the WomenWise project and explored next steps for sustaining engagement and advancing patient centered comparative effectiveness research. Project Lead Pravesh Sharma, M.D. stated, “When communities help shape the research, the results are not only more relevant – they’re more likely to create lasting change.”

C2DREAM Annual Conference set for May 28-30, 2026

Join the Center for Chronic Disease Reduction and Engagement Across Minnesota (C2DREAM) for the 5th Annual Conference, May 28 - 30, 2026 in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The multi-day conference brings together practitioners, researchers, youth, and community partners to share learning and foster collaboration around the C2DREAM initiative. The conference is in-person only and space is limited. To reserve your spot and for more information, visit https://www.mnc2dream.org/about-the-conference-2026

The Center for Chronic Disease Reduction and Engagement Across Minnesota (C2DREAM) is a partnership between the University of Minnesota Program in Health Disparities Research, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, the Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, and the Mayo Clinic. The Center aims to generate knowledge, analytical and implementation approaches, and community engagement strategies to understand and develop solutions to address the related chronic conditions of obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) for all Minnesotans.