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VIReC Database and Methods Seminar

Meet VIReC: The Researcher's Guide to VA Data


by Maria Souden, MSI, PhD
Seminar date: 10/7/2024

Description: The VA Information Resource Center (VIReC) is an ORD Resource Center for navigating VA's complex data environment. Across the VA, a wealth of data is made available from clinical care, healthcare operations, data stewards, and program offices for use in research, quality improvement, and evaluation projects.

Within such a sprawling environment, it can be challenging for users to determine what data are available to answer their analytical questions and to make sure they have a comprehensive understanding of data's content, context, and considerations for effective analyses. VIReC meets this challenge by developing and disseminating an array of resources for understanding and working with VA data and advocating for data user needs.

This session is a good refresher for those acquainted with VIReC and VA data resources, but primarily an excellent introduction for new VA data users to the knowledge, education, and resources available for using data from the electronic health record, VA program offices, and other clinical and administrative sources.

We strongly recommend that those new to using VA data also plan to attend the November 4 Database & Methods session, An Introduction to Commonly Used VA Databases, for a more detailed overview of available data.

By the end of this session, users should be able to:
1. Describe VIReC activities and value to the research & quality improvement communities.
2. Understand VIReC resources and their use in supporting work with VA data.
3. Locate VIReC data resources online.
4. Know where to go for additional questions and learning.

View archived session video:



DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript not yet available


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