Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website
Publication Briefs

Study Examines Geographic Access to Rehabilitation for OEF/OIF Veterans


OEF/OIF Veterans are experiencing traumatic injury and/or polytrauma, and therefore may have a greater need for long-term rehabilitation services. However, a report by the VA Office of Inspector General suggests that OEF/OIF Veterans with traumatic injuries experience obstacles in obtaining access to post-acute rehabilitation care. This study sought to ascertain specific geographic areas where the need for VHA rehabilitation services appears greatest and potential access gaps may exist. Investigators identified 7,842 OEF/OIF Veterans with traumatic injuries who accessed VA healthcare during FY03 and FY04, and then mapped Veterans' home ZIP code in relationship to facilities with varying levels of rehabilitation services. Levels of rehabilitation care varied from Level I facilities that provide acute, comprehensive, in-patient rehabilitation care to Level IV facilities that provide a point of contact for referrals to higher-level rehabilitation services.

Findings show that VA provides access to rehabilitation care for the majority of traumatically injured OEF/OIF Veterans; however, more than 10% of Veterans may have potential access barriers due to excessive travel time. For the combined cohort, the median distance to Level I, Level II, and Level III facilities was 411 miles, 121 miles, and 64 miles respectively, and the median distance to the closest VA facility was 22 miles. Clark County, Nevada, and El Paso County, Texas had the highest number of patients with potential access gaps due to excessive travel times. Results also show that the mean age for OEF/OIF Veterans with a traumatic injury was 38.1 years in FY03 and 34.9 in FY04. In both years, hearing impairment was the most common injury, followed by visual impairment.

Cowper Ripley D, Reker D, Hayes J, et al. Geographic Access to VHA Rehabilitation for Traumatic Injured OEF/OIF Veterans. Federal Practitioner October 2009;26(10):28-29, 34-36, 38-39.

This study was funded by HSR&D. Dr. Cowper Ripley is part of HSR&D/RR&D's Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center in Gainesville, FL; Dr. Reker is part of HSR&D's Center for the Management of Complex Chronic Care in Hines, IL.

Related Briefs

» next 105 Access Briefs...


» next 94 OEF/OIF Briefs...


What are HSR Publication Briefs?

HSR requires notification by HSR-funded investigators about all articles accepted for publication. These journal articles are reviewed by HSR and publication briefs or summaries are written for a select number of articles that are then forwarded to VHA Central Office leadership to keep them informed about important findings or information. Articles to be summarized are selected by HSR based on timeliness of the findings, interest of leadership, or potential impact on the organization. Publication briefs are written for only a small number of HSR published articles. Visit the HSR citations database for a complete listing of HSR articles and presentations.


Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.