Prefrontal Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Depression in US Military Veterans – A Naturalistic Study in the Veterans Health Administration

Objectives: There are currently no reliable estimates of the prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in the US Military Veterans. Hence, the study aims to determine its prevalence in military Veterans in the United States. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective, correlational design using a patient record database from the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The participants in the study were Veterans diagnosed with gastrointestinal disease. Specific gastrointestinal diseases include more than 500,000 ambulatory care visits annually in the United States, which included peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diverticular disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia, as well as the symptoms of constipation and nausea/vomiting. This study revealed the exact prevalence of gastrointestinal disease diagnosed in Veterans served in outpatient settings by the Veterans Health Administration and broke down this prevalence over time and by the Veteran period of service. Results: Findings revealed that gastrointestinal disease prevalence among Veterans varied according to their period of service. Conclusions: Findings may help improve screening for Veterans with this increased risk factor. However, further research should be performed to verify the prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in Veterans as compared to the general American population.

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The Comorbidity of Sleep Apnea and Mood, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders among Obese Military Veterans within the Veterans Health Administration

Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine ◽

10.5664/jcsm.3262 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 09 (12) ◽

pp. 1253-1258 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Kimberly A. Babson ◽

A. C. Del Re ◽

Marcel O. Bonn-Miller ◽

Steven H. Woodward

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Substance Use Disorders ◽

Military Veterans ◽

Veterans Health Administration ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Health Administration

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Veterans’ interests, perceptions, and use of mindfulness

SAGE Open Medicine ◽

10.1177/2050312120938226 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 205031212093822

Author(s):

Tracy Herrmann ◽

William R Marchand ◽

Brandon Yabko ◽

Ryan Lackner ◽

Julie Beckstrom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Lake ◽

Military Veterans ◽

Treatment Engagement ◽

Veterans Health Administration ◽

Educational Outreach ◽

Mindfulness Practice ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Health Administration ◽

Negative Beliefs ◽

Pleasurable Activity

Objective: Mindfulness-based interventions are an evidence-based approach utilized in health care. There is developing evidence for effective use with military Veterans. However, little is known about Veterans’ view of mindfulness. This study aims to understand their interests, perceptions, and use of mindfulness to enhance educational outreach and treatment engagement. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across the Veterans Health Administration in Salt Lake City, UT by administering a questionnaire to military Veterans. The questionnaire included the following themes: (1) demographics and respondents’ mindfulness practice; (2) respondents’ perceptions and beliefs about mindfulness; and (3) respondents’ knowledge and interest in learning about mindfulness. Results: In all, 185 military Veterans were surveyed; 30% practiced mindfulness in the past year, mainly for stress, posttraumatic stress disorder, sleep, and depression. Over 75% who practiced reported perceived benefit. Veterans rarely reported negative beliefs about mindfulness; 56% perceived an understanding of mindfulness and 46% were aware of Veterans Health Administration mindfulness offerings. In all, 55% were interested in learning about mindfulness, 58% were interested in learning how it could help, and 43% were interested in combining mindfulness with a pleasurable activity. Conclusion: Educational engagement approaches should be directed toward the benefits of mindfulness practice with minimal need to address negative beliefs. Outreach including education, with an experiential component, about mindfulness classes, availability of evening and weekend classes, individual sessions, and virtual offerings into Veteran’s homes, may enhance engagement in mindfulness-based interventions. Mindfulness-based interventions that combine mindfulness training with an experiential pleasurable activity may be one mechanism to enhance treatment engagement.

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An Intervention With Meaning

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000433 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 376-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brooke A. Levandowski ◽

Constance M. Cass ◽

Stephanie N. Miller ◽

Janet E. Kemp ◽

Kenneth R. Conner

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Qualitative Methodology ◽

Veterans Health Administration ◽

Veterans Health ◽

Safety Planning ◽

Health Administration ◽

Suicide Method ◽

Treatment Providers ◽

Interactive Nature ◽

Behavioral Health Treatment

Abstract. Background: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health-care system utilizes a multilevel suicide prevention intervention that features the use of standardized safety plans with veterans considered to be at high risk for suicide. Aims: Little is known about clinician perceptions on the value of safety planning with veterans at high risk for suicide. Method: Audio-recorded interviews with 29 VHA behavioral health treatment providers in a southeastern city were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative methodology. Results: Clinical providers consider safety planning feasible, acceptable, and valuable to veterans at high risk for suicide owing to the collaborative and interactive nature of the intervention. Providers identified the types of veterans who easily engaged in safety planning and those who may experience more difficulty with the process. Conclusion: Additional research with VHA providers in other locations and with veteran consumers is needed.

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