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. 2018 Jun;50(6):455-459.
doi: 10.22454/FamMed.2018.795504.

Addressing Patients' Veteran Status: Primary Care Providers' Knowledge, Comfort, and Educational Needs

Bonnie M Vest  1 , Jessica Kulak  1 , Victoria M Hall  1 , Gregory G Homish  2
Affiliations

Addressing Patients' Veteran Status: Primary Care Providers' Knowledge, Comfort, and Educational Needs

Bonnie M Vest et al. Fam Med. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The military population is frequently overlooked in civilian primary care due to an assumption that they are treated at the Veterans Health Administration (VA). However, less than 50% of eligible veterans receive VA treatment. Primary care providers (PCPs) may need support in addressing veterans' needs. This regional pilot study explored the current state of practice among primary care providers as it pertains to assessing patients' veteran status and their knowledge of and comfort with treating common conditions in this population.

Methods: An electronic survey was administered to PCPs (N=102) in Western New York. Survey questions asked about assessing military status, understanding of military-related health problems, and thoughts on the priority of addressing these issues in practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive summary statistics.

Results: The majority (56%; n=54) of respondents indicated they never or rarely ask their patients about military service, and only 19% (n=18) said they often or always ask. Seventy-one percent (n=68) of providers agreed or strongly agreed it was important to know if their patient was a veteran. Participants indicated limited knowledge about military stressors, resources available for military populations, and common medical conditions impacting veterans.

Conclusions: Our pilot results demonstrate that in a regional sample of primary care providers, providers rarely ask patients about their military history; however, they feel it is important information for patient care. While further study is needed, it may be necessary to provide education, specifically pertaining to military culture and health-related sequelae, to address barriers that may be limiting PCPs' provision of care for this population.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicting and Competing Interests: The authors have no financial or other competing interests to declare.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Providers’ attitudes towards assessing veteran status
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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