INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE AND KNOWLEDGE OF SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS IN THE VETERANS AFFIARS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

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  • September 26, 2019
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  • Howell, Dakar
    • Affiliation: School of Nursing
Abstract
  • ABSTRACT Increasing Access to Care and Knowledge of Services for Women Veterans in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System Background: Women are the fastest growing population of patients who access the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), within the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) for healthcare. The magnitude of this population growth poses several challenges for the historically male-dominated VA healthcare system. A major barrier to care is WV’s lack of knowledge of about gender-specific services available to them within the VHA. This knowledge gap has led to disjointed care and attrition from the Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center (DVAMC). Therefore, a tool that combines and presents all of the resources available to WV is vital in order to improve WV’s health and access to VA care. Objectives: The objectives of this evidence based practice (EBP) quality improvement project was to evaluate the effects of a women’s health resource manual (WHRM) for inpatient WV in the DVAMC about the policies and services that are available to meet their needs and increase their access to VA care. Method: Women Veterans admitted into an inpatient setting were provided with a WHRM, a cover letter with intent to participate form, and two randomly coded questionnaires (pre-intervention and post-intervention). The data sets included responses to the questionnaires. The WV’s completed the pre-intervention questionnaire and were allowed adequate time to read the resource manual. Prior to discharge, the WV completed the post intervention questionnaire. Results: The outcomes of this EBP project improved WV knowledge of gender-specific-services and provided evidence that supports the need to strengthen healthcare providers ability to inform WV about gender-specific services in the VHA system. Evidence also supported increasing the dissemination of the WHRM to increase the WV sense of inclusion in the VA and satisfaction with the gender-specific resources provided it the DVAMC. Descriptive statistics that utilize McNemar’s analysis were employed to compare the pre- and post-intervention measures. Conclusions: The study showed statistical significance in post-questionnaire results about how WV’s rate the VA, and the quality of gender-specific services offered by the DVAMC. These results support the need for further research to improve resources for WV and to improve providers ability to inform WV about gender-specific resources offered in through the VA.
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  • Fairbanks, Jessica
  • Harwood, Elaine
  • Esposito, Noreen
Degree granting institution
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate School
Graduation year
  • 2018
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