Advancing Diagnostic Excellence in Rural Areas (2025)
Synopsis
The National Academies' Forum on Advancing Diagnostic Excellence convened a workshop in October 2025 to explore approaches to improve diagnosis in rural areas across the United States. Discussions highlighted the distinct realities shaping diagnostic care in rural communities and explored potential strategies to expand diagnostic access and reduce geographic disparities, strengthen, and support rural clinicians and professional pathways, and implement innovative models and technologies designed for rural contexts.
Participants discussed approaches such as expanding health care provider-to-provider telehealth and hub-and-spoke models, using point-of-care and mobile diagnostic technologies, scaling collaborative learning models for health professionals, and developing shared infrastructure and regional collaboration.
