scholarly journals Veterans’ interests, perceptions, and use of mindfulness

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.

scholarly journals The Veterans Health Administration Whole Health Model of Care: Early Implementation and Utilization at a Large Healthcare System

2020 ◽  
Vol 185 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e2150-e2157
Author(s):  
William R Marchand ◽  
Julie Beckstrom ◽  
Elena Nazarenko ◽  
Renn U Sweeny ◽  
Tracy Herrmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Treatment Engagement ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Early Implementation ◽  
The Way

Abstract Introduction The U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is changing the way it provides healthcare to a model known as Whole Health (WH). The aim is to shift from a primarily medical/disease-oriented system to a model that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention; utilizes personalized, proactive, and patient-driven care; and emphasizes the use of complementary and integrative health. This investigation aimed to examine referral and utilization patterns in early implementation at tertiary care VHA medical care system. Specific aims were to evaluate (1) referral patterns, (2) initial treatment engagement, and (3) continuity of treatment engagement. Materials and methods This is an institutional review board-approved, retrospective study of the first 561 veterans referred to WH programming in the first 20 months of implementation. Data analyses included a chi-square goodness of fit to compare demographics of veterans who were referred to WH Services with those of local patient population. At this facility, WH offers services in three tracks (General WH, Mindfulness Center [MC], and WH Nutrition), which offer unique services to veterans. A chi-square test for independence was conducted to analyze differences in initial engagement among the WH components, in referrals and retention among WH components by time period, and in demographics or diagnoses among self-referred or veterans referred by a consult. Finally, a regression model was used to assess for predictive factors that might influence continuity of treatment engagement across all the WH tracks. Results Key findings indicated potential implementation challenges including disproportionate numbers of referrals from clinical services; poor initial and ongoing treatment engagement; and older, male, and non-service-connected Veterans being less likely to be referred. Conclusion Implementation of the WH model of care has the potential to transform the way VHA delivers healthcare and improve the health and lives of veterans. However, a shift of this magnitude is likely to face challenges during implementation. This article reports on initial barriers to implementation, which can guide implementation at other sites as well as future investigations. Further research is needed to replicate these results as well as to determine underlying causal factors. However, if replicated, these results indicate that successful implementation of WH, or similar models of care, will require extensive efforts focused on outreach to, and education of, facility providers and certain patient demographic groups. Finally, efforts will be required to enhance treatment engagement.

scholarly journals Prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in US Military Veterans under outpatient care at the Veterans Health Administration

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110491
Author(s):  
Kelsey G Kent
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
The United States ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Increased Risk

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.

An Intervention With Meaning

Crisis ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 376-383 ◽  
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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