Engaging Veterans in Healthcare Research: The Ohio Story
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Date
2019-05
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
Purpose. Veterans in the United States face major health challenges that impact their ability to successfully reenter civilian life and maintain health and quality of life. Despite evidence of differences between Veteran and civilian healthcare, little is known about the perspectives of Veterans about healthcare delivery and utilization of health-related research. The purpose of this study is to improve understanding of Ohio Veterans and key stakeholder perspectives related to healthcare and health-related research.
Methods. In this qualitative study, focus groups were conducted with Veteran and key stakeholder (family and friends, service providers, community leaders, etc.). Participants were recruited from the six states with the largest Veteran populations (i.e., California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio). This study explores perspectives from focus groups conducted in Ohio. The ten 90-minute focus groups in Ohio (n=38) were transcribed and analyzed. Patterns and relationships of codes were categorized and synthesized into themes related to participants' perspectives of Veteran healthcare and health-related research.
Results. Results from these focus groups fell into three categories. Participants were concerned with their overall healthcare related to information on treatment options and decisions, stigma with mental health, and combat and non-combat related health promotion and prevention. The population was also troubled with healthcare system issues such as billing problems, feeling disconnected from benefits and services, and difficulties with the Veterans Choice Program. While participants also expressed mistrust and skepticism when asked about health-related research, they showed interest in potentially taking a larger role in research once their healthcare issues were resolved.
Conclusions. Veterans voiced concerns that can be used to redesign healthcare and the research agenda for Veterans.
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Keywords
Veterans, Healthcare, Patient Centered Outcomes Research, Veterans Choice Program, Focus groups