RRP 09-115
Online Interventions for Female OEF/OIF Reserve/National Guard war Vets
Anne G. Sadler, PhD RN Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA Iowa City, IA Funding Period: November 2009 - October 2010 Portfolio Assignment: QUERI |
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
VHA is challenged with meeting the needs of dramatically changing service populations. Women and OEF/OIF Reserve/National Guard (R/NG) war Veterans are among the fastest growing groups of new VA users. The effects of military experiences, including combat, post-deployment readjustment, and sexual victimization are particularly poorly characterized in R/NG servicewomen. For a variety of reasons (e.g., stigma, military sexual trauma, VHA care perceptions, established pre- deployment health care) facilitating access to mental health services for OEF/OIF R/NG female Veterans is challenging and will require new approaches. OBJECTIVE(S): 1)To determine the feasibility of online mental health screening using a tailored questionnaire assessing post-deployment mental health disorders; and 2)to determine user perceptions about the online tailored instrument, and access to and acceptability of available VA mental health treatments among participants who screen positive for mental health conditions. METHODS: Defense Manpower Data Center identified a Mid-Western sample of R/NG servicewomen returning from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in the 24 months preceding study participation. Phase 1 of this study included development and implementation of a web-based survey of post-deployment mental health and readjustment disorders with educational information tailored to each participant's responses (n=131). Phase 2 involved a follow-up telephone interview (n=37) with women screening positive for any mental health concern to determine their perceptions of 1) using the internet for mental health information, 2) the survey and tailored information, and 3) VA mental health care. FINDINGS/RESULTS: Post-deployment mental health problems were common, including: combat trauma (95%), prescription drug abuse (54%),military sexual trauma (50%), PTSD (41%),depression (37%), family adjustment issues (30%), substance abuse (13%), domestic violence (11%),traumatic brain injury (10%). Most (48%) participants had 3-4 positive screens, while 29% had 1-2 positive screens and 22% had more than 4 positive screens. Almost a third (32%) reported that the information they received reduced their discomfort with seeking care and 38% indicated that they would subsequently seek assessment from a VA provider and 26% would from a non-VA provider. The majority of participants (74%) indicated they preferred to receive VA information through e-mail. Almost half (48%) indicated this web-based intervention provided them with information that they might not have received otherwise. Most (74%) participants would recommend this survey to other military women. Key reasons reported for why women don't use VA mental health care included stigma and lack of knowledge about VA women's health services. IMPACT: Given the well recognized stigma of seeking mental health services, dual health care use and reluctance to use VA care acknowledged in R/NG populations, the DVA must move beyond traditional avenues for engaging this population and providing needed mental health services. A successful online intervention tailored to individuals' needs for specific services may represent an effective and relatively low cost care approach. This study demonstrated that web-based mental health interventions are possible to implement and are considered desirable by high risk R/NG service women post-deployment. External Links for this ProjectDimensions for VADimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.Learn more about Dimensions for VA. VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address. Search Dimensions for this project PUBLICATIONS:Journal Articles
DRA:
Military and Environmental Exposures, Mental, Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders
DRE: Treatment - Observational, Prevention Keywords: Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Women's health MeSH Terms: none |