Many returning soldiers and veterans living in rural areas fail to get the help they need because of barriers to health care. The primary barrier facing this population is the geographic distance from the nearest Veterans Administration (VA) health facility. In other cases, some returning soldiers and veterans do not qualify for some or any VA benefits, or they are unaware of the benefits, services, and facilities available to them. Therefore, numerous cases of chronic and acute mental and physical conditions remain untreated.
Many returning soldiers and veterans also face poverty, substance abuse, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in addition to numerous physical impairments. VA health facilities address these issues by developing partnerships with area community health clinics and hospitals to deliver care via telemedicine, mobile VA clinics and community-based outpatient clinics. More and more, the VA also depends on non-profit, veteran service organizations to help care for the growing population of returning soldiers and veterans in need of health care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
After Deployment
Web site
Serves as a mental wellness resource that assists military Service Members and the people close to them to anonymously seek mental health support and treatments.
America's Heroes at Work
Web site
Designed to help employers and the workforce development system get information and tools to use when helping returning service members affected by TBI and/or PTSD to succeed in the workplace.
American Red Cross Chapter Locator
Database
Directory of local American Red Cross chapters, searchable by ZIP code.
Best Practices Registry (BPR) For Suicide Prevention
Web site
Identifies, reviews, and disseminates information about best practices that address specific objectives of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
BrainLine.org
Web site
Provides access to personal stories, a directory of state resource centers, and various sources of information on topics related to traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a way to help prevent, treat, and otherwise help people living with a TBI.
Buddy-to-Buddy: Volunteer Veteran Program
Web site
Veteran volunteers are trained to help fellow veterans find resources for readjustment issues, including financial and educational issues, emotional challenges, substance problems, legal or job issues. Website includes a directory of resources for the general public and for health care providers.
Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES)
Web site
Prepares the Veterans Administration (VA) for meeting the current and future health care needs of veterans in modern health care facilities. CARES addresses the clinical role of small facilities, vacant space, the potential for enhanced use leases and the consolidation of services and campuses. Website includes studies currently underway to use as examples for future projects.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center
Web site
Promotes the health and well-being of people living with a spinal cord injury, mobility impairment, and paralysis by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services.
Defense & Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
Web site
Designed to serve active duty military members, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through medical care, clinical research initiatives and educational programs. Site offers access to educational tools, research reports, points of contact and other related resources.
Directory of Veterans Service Organizations
Web site
Provides a list and searchable database of chartered and non-chartered organizations alphabetically and by state. Information provided includes the organization's status, address, phone number, fax number, website, e-mail address plus details about the organization.
Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Print publication
Contains a summary of VA benefits legislated in
Title 38 of the United States Code effective Jan. 1, 2010. Lists associated acronyms, plus websites and phone numbers for national VA entities and addresses of all VA facilities in the United States, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Half Of Us: Veterans Resource Center
Web site
Offers support and advice on how to help veterans acclimate to life on a college campus-particularly to ensure their emotional well-being.
Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Programs by State
Web site
Directory of programs that address the healthcare needs of homeless veterans. Organized alphabetically by state and includes the District of Columbia. Listings offer the program name, location, full address, and phone number.
Homeless Veterans
Web site
Serves as a resource on homeless Veterans or those that are at risk of becoming homeless and the programs that assist them. Works as a national forum for exchanging ideas, providing education and consultation, and disseminating information. Includes a call center: 1-877-424-3838.
Hospital Service Coordinator Directory
Web site
Lists, by state, the Hospital Service Coordinators' name, affiliated VAMC (VA Medical Center) with their address, telephone, and fax numbers.
HUD Veteran Resource Center (HUDVET)
Web site
Strives to increase knowledge of and participation in HUD homeless assistance programs and services for veterans and other individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Created as a result of a partnership between National Veteran Service Organizations and HUD.
Joining Forces
Web site
Offers recorded video broadcasts that provide information that physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and others can use to understand and meet the needs of returning veterans and their families. Physicians can view programs for CME credits.
Local Community Resource Finder
Database
Interactive map and database searchable by state and type of health and community resource. Categories include resources for youth and children, families, the military, and for veterans. Resulting lists provide the name of the resource, its location, website and phone number. Also contains resources in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
MedlinePlus: Veterans and Military Health
Web site
Contains links to news, research, and other documents on treatment, conditions, issues, and policy as related to veterans and military health.
Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC)
Web site
MIRECC's research the causes and treatments of mental disorders and use education to put new knowledge into routine clinical practice in the VA. Their website provides access to websites and contact information for the 14 designated Centers as well as downloadable resources for clinicians.
Military Health System
Web site
Highlights announcements and news stories related to military members and their health. Includes a blog that relays information on the top health issues of military members.
Military Homefront
Web site
Includes information geared toward service providers, such as: policy letters, instructions, and legislation.
Military OneSource
Web site
Provides support services to military members and their families. Includes an interactive website and a call center available 24/7 at 1.800.342.9647.
NAMI Veterans Resource Center
Web site
Provides resources for veterans and active duty military members, as well as their families, friends, and advocates on topics related to mental health, such as: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), health benefits and eligibility, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
National Center for PTSD
Web site
An educational resource on PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) and trauma for veterans, mental health care providers, researchers and the general public.
National Guard: State Web Sites
Web site
Offers a map and a list of links to National Guard sites representing each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
National Resource Directory
Web site
Provides information on, and access to, services and resources for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, their families, families of the fallen, and those who support them from recovery and rehabilitation to community reintegration.
National Veterans Business Development Corporation (TVC)
Web site
Offers online education and training services for current and prospective Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran business owners, and for companies interested in working with Veteran-owned businesses.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Web site
Works to maximize the quality of life for its members and all people with Spinal Cord Injury/Diseases (SCI/D) as a leading advocate for health care, SCI/D research and education, veterans’ benefits and rights, accessibility and the removal of architectural barriers, sports programs, and disability rights. Among these many resources, their website also includes information on volunteer opportunities that help communities serve their disabled veterans.
Patient Safety Program Resource Guide
Web site
Designed to engage, educate and equip readers with products, services, tools and solutions made available by the PSP (Patient Safety Program) to help ensure the safe delivery of health care in the MHS (Military Health System.)
Post Deployment Health
Web site
Aims to assist clinicians in the delivery of post-deployment healthcare by fostering a trusting partnership between military men and women, veterans, their families, and their healthcare providers to ensure the highest quality care.
Project ARCH
Web site
A three-year pilot program to provide specific non-VA health care services to eligible Veterans in VISNs 1, 6, 15, 18, and 19 through contractual arrangements. Intends to improve access for eligible Veterans by connecting them to health care providers and services closer to their home.
Real Warriors: Clinical Practice Guidelines
Web site
Offers information to health professionals that is specific to the care of service members, including military culture and combat stress, like TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Recovery & Employment Assistance Lifelines (REAL)
Web site
Provides recovery and employment assistance for wounded and injured service members and their families when they return to the homes and lives they left prior to their service to the United States. Contact toll free: 1.888.774.1361.
Resources on Substance Abuse and Mental Health for Military Families
Web site
Provides information for returning veterans on accessing mental health and substance abuse services and for military families on coping with trauma.
Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF)
Web site
Outlines information, support, and services provided by the Veterans Affairs office and other entities for returning soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Returning Veterans Project
Web site
Serves as conduit for mental health and health care practitioners who wish to volunteer their professional services to veterans and their families of the current Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns. The Project works to create a supportive network of community resource for returning veterans and their families.
Rural Health Research: Veterans
Web site
Provides summaries of current and completed rural health research projects and related publications addressing the topic of veterans, produced by the Office of Rural Health Policy's funded rural health research centers.
SAMHSA: Military Families
Web site
Offers access to data, publications grantee projects related to the mental health military members and their families. Describes what SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is doing to help military families and veterans.
Summary of VA Benefits
Web site
Provides brief bulleted descriptions of VA benefits as of July 2009 and names who is eligible for them. This brochure includes websites and phone numbers for learning more information.
Swords to Plowshares
Web site
Provides services and support for returning veterans and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Programs and services include health and social services, housing, employment and training, a veterans academy, and legal assistance, plus an Iraq Veteran Project.
THRIVE Online
Web site
The Health and Resources Initiative for Veterans Everywhere (THRIVE) is designed to provide outreach and services to vulnerable and underserved veterans, including rural and homeless veterans. THRIVE online is a
collaboration between Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System to provide videos of rural health experts, rural Veterans, and outreach workers, plus fact sheets, a searchable database, and articles on palliative care.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Web site
Assists service members leaving active duty by providing information and resources to be used as part of a comprehensive program of transition and employment assistance.
Traumatic Brain Injury Program
Web site
Helps State and local agencies develop resources so that all individuals with TBI and their families will have accessible, available, acceptable, and appropriate services and supports.
Traumatic Brain Injury Resources for Health Professionals
Web site
Provides information and resources on traumatic brain injury, psychological health issues, and combat stress specifically tailored to health care professionals. Here you can learn about treatment options for PTSD and review tips for civilian health care professionals treating military patients.
TRICARE
Web site
Offers links to information on eligibility, plans, coverage, operations, policy, manuals, and contracting to beneficiaries, health care professionals, hospitals, clinics, and other interested parties.
U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2): Veteran and Military Service Organizations
Web site
Offers an annotated list of congressionally chartered and non-profit organizations that support the health care, employment and rehabilitation needs of veterans.
VA Caregiver Support
Web site
Offers information for caregiving of a Veteran. Includes a toll-free National Caregiver Support Line 1-855-260-3274.
VA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Web site
Website helps faith-based and community organizations learn about the benefits, programs, and resources the VA offers to help them meet the needs of their communities.
VA Facilities Locator & Directory
Web site
Offers a storehouse of facility and key staff information within 1747 VA facilities that is searchable by state and administration. Links to various VA services and policies are also available.
VA Health Care Atlas: FY 2005
Web site
Offers a map and a list of VA health care facilities by state. Defines the different types of health care facilities and how many of each type exists in the United States. Also includes website links for obtaining more information.
VA Midwest Health Care Network
Web site
Also known as VISN 23 and serves the health care needs of veterans residing in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
VA Office of Geriatrics and Extended Care Hospice & Palliative Care
Web site
Provides information for Veterans of all ages regarding geriatrics and extended care, also known as long term care.
VA State Summary Fact Sheets
Web site
Provides links to summaries for each of the 50 states, which offer statistics related to veterans and their health care.
Veteran's Outreach Center, Inc.
Web site
Assists veterans and returning National Guard and Reserve military personnel through reintegration services.
Veterans and Families Homecoming Support Network
Web site
Offers resources to returning Veterans, their families, and the communities in which they reside adapt to life after deployment. This is a non-profit organization that works with all government and civilian resources and agencies to ensure Veteran's successful transition both mentally and physically.
Veterans Benefits Timetable: Information for Veterans Recently Separated from Active Military Service (VA FORM 21-0501)
Web site
Summarizes VA benefit and service qualifications based on separation status. Includes phone numbers for each type of benefit listed, plus application time limits. This is a printable PDF form.
Veterans Care Program
Web site
Provides comprehensive, affordable healthcare to Illinois' veterans that do not otherwise qualify for VA health care benefits.
Veterans Crisis Line
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides veterans and their families free, 24/7 access to trained counselors during emotional crises. Dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line.
Veterans Health Administration
Web site
Serves as a portal to a variety of resources and services related to veteran health care.
Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs)
Web site
Provides a map of the United States that is divided into the 23 VISN geographic regions. Users can click on each region to learn more about the network and its local facilities, including contact information for every VA location.
Veterans ON-Line Application (VONAPP) Website
Web site
Enables veterans to apply for benefits using the Internet. U.S. military veterans and some service members within six months of separation or retirement can apply for compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits. Provides online access to applications, FAQs and additional contacts.
Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers: Central Region
Web site
Located in Iowa City, this center focuses on evaluating rural health programs and piloting new strategies to help Veterans overcome barriers to access and quality.
Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers: Eastern Region
Web site
Maintains three locations in Gainesville, FL; Togus, ME; and White River Junction, VT and focuses on developing models to deliver specialty care and services to rural areas, and educating and training VA’s next generation of rural health care providers.
Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers: Western Region
Web site
Located in Salt Lake City, UT, this center focuses on outreach, access issues, and the needs of Native Veterans and Aging Veterans.
VHA National Chaplain Center
Web site
Helps VA chaplains in meeting the spiritual health needs of veterans. Website includes an index of VA chaplains by last name and by city and state.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service (VR&E)
Web site
Assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep suitable jobs or to live as independently as possible if they are not able to work.
Welcome Back Veterans
Web site
Helps returning veterans reestablish their lives in the civilian sector. Website includes resources aimed at veterans, their friends and families, health care providers, and the general public.
Women Veterans Health Care
Web site
Provides support and information on health care services available to women Veterans, including primary care, reproductive services, rehabilitation, mental health and treatment for military sexual trauma. A VA health care professional is available by phone at each VA Medical Center to answer questions and advise on health concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-877-222-8387.
Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)
Web site
Strives to raise awareness and gain public support for the needs of injured service members. Veterans help other veterans through programs that support those that have been injured in combat.
Maps & Map Collections
Nonmetropolitan Counties and VA Clinics
Geographic coverage: United States
Offers a map of the United States showing nonmetropolitan counties and Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinics.
Date: 2005
Nonmetropolitan Counties and Vet Centers
Geographic coverage: United States
Offers a map of the United States showing nonmetropolitan counties and Veterans Affairs (VA) Centers.
Date: 2005
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2010 VHA Facility Quality and Safety Report
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
Presents information regarding the care provided in outpatient and hospital settings, the staffing of each Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility, the quality of inpatient and outpatient health care provided to all Veterans and to certain patient populations, the medical center accreditation status, patient satisfaction and selected patient outcomes for FY09. Includes information specific to veterans in rural areas and Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Date: 10 / 2010
Access to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare: How Easy is it for Veterans-Addressing the Gaps
Author(s): Andy Behrman
Sponsoring organization: U.S. House of Representatives
Discusses current VA successes in providing quality care for rural veterans and suggestions for further improvements in quality of care. This is a written testimony by NRHA Rural Health Policy Board Chair Andy Behrman for the Health Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs on April 18, 2007.
Date: 04 / 2007
Building Blocks for Cultural Integration in the Development and Establishment of Rural VA Telemental Health Clinics for Native Veterans.
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Rural Health Resource Center Western Region: Native Domain
Offers a short overview, plus suggestions and tips for setting up, operating, and maintaining Telemental Health (TMH) Clinics, in the form of live interactive videoconferencing.
Care for Military Members and Their Families: Close-up on Military Behavioral Health
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
This issue of SAMHSA's newsletter features articles on behavioral health care for military members: instance of substance abuse, what SAMHSA can do to help, what providers should know, and resources for military members and their families.
Journal citation: SAMHSA News Volume 19 Issue 3
Date: 2011
Caregivers of Veterans: Serving on the Homefront
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance for Caregiving
Assesses the needs of caregivers of veterans
from combat eras dating from World War II to
the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Includes data on small towns and rural areas.
Date: 11 / 2010
Closing the Health Gap of Rural Veterans: Discussion of Funding and Resource Coordination
Author(s): Graham L. Adams
Recommends ways in which to close the gaps in health care for rural veterans. Recommendations include: building on current success, collaborating with non-VA facilities, increasing mental health access, targeting care, and strengthening the Office of Rural Veterans.
Date: 03 / 2009
Collaboration with Rural Community Health Centers VISN 5, Task 4: Final Report
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Community Health Centers
Outlines the steps involve in implementing a pilot project that will enable community-based providers to improve coordination of care between CHCs and VHA.
Date: 06 / 2011
Health Needs of Rural Veterans
Author(s): Mary Beth Skupien
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
Describes the unique challenges that rural veterans face and outlines what is being done to help them overcome barriers to health care access. This commentary is followed by two response articles in this issue of Forum.
Journal citation: Forum
Date: 11 / 2010
Hospice-Veteran Partnership Toolkit
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Discusses HVPs (Hospice-Veteran Partnerships), which are statewide or community-based partnerships dedicated to increasing veterans' access to hospice and palliative care. Focuses on strengthening relationships between community hospices and VA providers and educating veterans and their caregivers about end-of-life care options.
Identifying Appropriate Care for Veterans Returning to Rural Communities
Author(s): John Blossom
Sponsoring organization: California State Rural Health Association
Offers an overview of the difficulties facing rural veterans once they return home from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Explains what rural health care providers will need to know in order to offer better care and services to veterans returning to their communities.
Date: 01 / 2008
Identifying Barriers to Treatment for PTSD Among Reserve Component Veterans in Rural Pennsylvania: An Analysis of Five Focus Groups
Author(s): Mary Schaffer, Michael Crabtree, Elizabeth Bennett, Matthew McNally, Amanda
Provides insight into reasons combat veterans were not seeking or receiving the behavioral health treatment they may need after deployment in a combat zone.
Journal citation: Journal of Rural Community Psychology Volume E14 Issue 1
Date: 2011
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery
Author(s): Terri L. Tanielian, Lisa H. Jaycox
Sponsoring organization: RAND Corporation
Presents results of a study on post-deployment health-related needs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury among OEF/OIF veterans, the health care system in place to meet those
needs, gaps in the care system, and the costs associated with these conditions and with
providing quality health care to all those in need. Includes references to rural veterans.
Date: 2008
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression Among Veterans Aged 21 to 39
Sponsoring organization: SAMHSA Resource Center to Address Discrimination & Stigma Associated with Mental Illness
Examines data from veterans aged 21 to 39 on the prevalence of past year Major Depressive Episode (MDE), levels of impairment resulting from MDE as measured by the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), average number of days of the inability to carry out normal activities due to MDE, and past year treatment for MDE.
Date: 11 / 2008
ORH Fact Sheet: Information About the Office of Rural Health and Rural Veterans
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
Lists data and statistics related to rural veterans and the work of the VHA Office of Rural Health.
Date: 09 / 2011
Overcoming Rural Health Care Barriers Through Innovative Wireless Health Technologies
Proposes that wireless health technologies can provide quality and accessible care to rural veterans. A statement for the Health Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Date: 06 / 2010
Planning and Activating Community-Based Outpatient Clinics
Author(s): Arthur S. Hamerschlag
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Defines the procedures for planning and activating new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community-based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and establishes consistent planning criteria and standardized expectations for CBOC operations.
Date: 05 / 2004
Rationale and Design: Telepsychology Service Delivery for Depressed Elderly Veterans
Author(s): Leonard E. Egede, Christopher B. Frueh, Lisa K. Richardson, et al.
Sponsoring organization: BioMed Central
Describes a study and medical trial that will work to provide telepsychology services for depressed, elderly veterans living in rural America.
Date: 04 / 2009
Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan: Preliminary Assessment of Readjustment Needs of Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
Sponsoring organization: Institute of Medicine
Presents findings on the most critical challenges, and discusses the second phase of a study to determine how best to meet the needs of returning troops and their families. Includes aspects specific to rural areas, such as overcoming the access barrier by using mobile vet centers to deliver health care.
Date: 2010
Rural America and the South Have the Highest Percent of Veterans with Service-Related Disabilities
Author(s): Marybeth J. Mattingly, Michelle L. Stransky
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Presents data from the 2008 American Community Survey which shows that a higher number of disabled veterans reside in the South and in rural areas. In general, a higher number of veterans live in these areas and face additional challenges such as gaining access to care.
Date: 2009
Rural Veterans: A Special Concern for Rural Health Advocates
Author(s): Hilda R. Heady
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
Describes health care issues rural veterans face and offers recommendations to overcome them. Issues include: access to primary care, specialized rehabilitation, physical medicine, neurology, and mental health services for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), polytrauma, blindness, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Date: 02 / 2007
Rural Vets Return Home to Face New Battles
Author(s): Candi Helseth
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Describes the need for access to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) treatment among veterans and barriers faced among rural veterans in accessing those services.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2007 Issue Spring
Date: 2007
Rural vs. Urban Ambulatory Health Care Review
Author(s): Michele Spoont, Nancy Greer, Jenny Su
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration
Examines evidence regarding potential disparities between rural and urban areas in health care provision and delivery, and how differences in health care may contribute to disparities in health outcomes of veterans that seek care in VA and non-VA health systems.
Date: 05 / 2011
Safety Plan Treatment Manual to Reduce Suicide Risk: Veteran Version
Author(s): Barbara Stanley, Gregory K. Brown, Bradley Karlin, Janet E. Kemp, Heather A. VonBergen
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Describes clinical intervention and safety planning that can be used in risk assessment of veterans who have made a suicide attempt, have suicide ideation, psychiatric disorders that increase suicide risk, or who are otherwise at high risk for suicide.
Date: 08 / 2008
Serving Those Who Have Served: Educational Needs of Health Care Providers Working with Military Members, Veterans, and their Families
Author(s): Dean G. Kilpatrick, Connie L. Best, Daniel W. Smith, Harold Kudler, Vickey Cornelison-Grant
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
Discusses findings from a survey of rural and urban mental health and primary care providers, which explored providers' experience with and knowledge of the VA and Armed Forces personnel.
Date: 12 / 2011
Strategies for Suicide Prevention in Veterans
Author(s): Paul Shekelle, Steven Bagley, Brett Munjas
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
Presents research that explores various Veteran suicide prevention strategies and how promising they might be. Strategies include programs for outreach, counseling, and treatment coordination. Addresses the difference in suicide prevalence among Veterans in rural and urban areas.
Date: 01 / 2009
Strengthening Our Military Families: Meeting America's Commitment
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Defense
Outlines initiatives in place to help support the physical and emotional well-being of military members and their families, including initiatives specific to rural communities.
Date: 01 / 2011
Telecare Shows Promise for Treating Depression in Rural Primary Care Settings, According to TEAM Study Results
Author(s): John Fortney, Jeffrey Pyne
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
Reports on a study that addresses the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of using telemedicine technologies (e.g., telephones, interactive video, electronic medical records, and the Internet) to improve the outcomes of depression in small rural Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).
Date: 06 / 2004
Telemedicine Technologies: What is the Cost of Improving Access to Health Care Services in Rural Areas?
Author(s): Julie Lowery
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Services Research & Development Service
Summarizes the benefits and challenges associated with two major types of telemedicine systems available—store-and-forward vs. real-time videoconferencing.
Date: 06 / 2004
Transportation for America’s Veterans and Their Families
Sponsoring organization: Community Transportation Association of America
Describes challenges veterans face that affect their transportation options in rural and urban areas. Explains programs implemented in some areas that help them overcome the challenges.
Date: 11 / 2011
VA Midwest Health Care Network: FY 2008 Annual Report
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Uses charts, graphs, and text to report statistics and data related to the health care of veterans served by VISN 23 (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming).
Veteran Homelessness: A Supplement to the 2009 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Describes the extent and nature of homelessness among veterans in America. Some data is divided by urban, suburban, and rural.
Date: 2009
Veterans’ Access to and Use of Medicare and Veterans Affairs Health Care
Author(s): Denise M. Hynes, Kristin Koelling, Kevin Stroupe
Reports the findings of a study on the health care use patterns among dually-eligible veterans
for Medicare and Veterans Affairs (VA) services in rural and urban areas.
Date: 03 / 2007
Veterans’ Health Care Issues in the 109th Congress
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
Includes statistics and examples of how the VA is working to increase training for VA hospital staff by networking with medical schools and teaching hospitals. Describes strategies in place to help enhance veterans' access to health care in their rural and urban communities. Includes a map of the 21 Veterans Integrated Service Networks and a chart outlining eligibility requirements for accessing VA health care services.
Date: 10 / 2006
Vets in Rural Areas Face Multiple Barriers to Care
Author(s): Aaron Levin
Sponsoring organization: American Psychiatric Association
Describes barriers to care rural veterans face as opposed to those living in urban areas. Strategies for improved access are to co-locate primary and mental care services and to provide more local sites for care through community health centers.
Date: 04 / 2007
Journals
Forum
Brings information derived from health services research to the attention of both VA clinicians and managers. FORUM also introduces questions, observations, comments and criticism raised by VA clinicians and managers to health services researchers.
Management Briefs
Provides documents that relay results from VA Health Services Research. Studied topics include, but are not limited to; barriers to health care, mental health, rural veterans, and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.
The Rural Connection
Quarterly newsletter of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Rural Health (ORH). Reports on statistics, new projects, and programs within the VHA ORH, Veteran Rural Health Resource Centers (VRHRCs), Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), and VA Medical Centers (VAMCs.)
VHA Office of Rural Health Fact Sheet
Monthly fact sheet outlines recent studies and legislative activities affecting rural health.
Organizations
American Legion
National organization
Provides veterans and their communities with transitional assistance and education programs. Includes information on how to start a "Hero Transition Team" at your local American Legion Post.
Armed Forces Emergency Service (AFES)
Federal government
Helps military members and military families cope with separation and other special situations related to military service. This includes around-the-clock, around-the-world communication between military members and their families; neutral, impartial assistance, including comfort and counseling; independent verification of emergency situations; and financial assistance and referrals for emergency travel and other family needs.
Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF)
National organization
Works to improve the outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients by developing best practice guidelines, conducting clinical research, and educating medical personnel.
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
National organization
Made up of disabled veterans who focus on building better lives for disabled veterans and their families.
National Guard Bureau
Federal government
Serves as the activity and management office under the Department of Defense for the National Guard. It works to develop policies and to advise the Secretaries and Chiefs of Staff of the Army and the Air Force on all National Guard issues.
Rural Health Initiative Program
Federal government
Based at the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia, this program focuses on improving health care for Veterans in rural areas through outreach and communication. It also partners with local health care providers and community leaders to ensure eligible Veterans receive all of their benefits.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Federal government
Provides programs for U.S. Veterans. Website including information on health, education, loans, and general benefits.
VA Health Services Research & Development Service (HSR&D)
Federal government
Pursues research at the interface of health care systems, patients and health care outcomes. HSR&D underscores all aspects of VA health care; specifically quality, access, patient outcomes and health care costs.
Veterans Corporation (TVC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Dedicated to promoting entrepreneurial success for Veterans, Service-Disabled Veterans, and members of the National Guard and reserve nationwide.
Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health (VHA ORH)
Federal government
Works to improve health care delivery for enrolled rural Veterans and supports research and program development to address challenges rural Veterans face.
Veterans' Rural Health Advisory Committee (VRHAC)
National organization
Exists to communicate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding health care issues affecting veterans living in rural areas throughout the United States.
Veterans-Express
Nonprofit/Foundation
Assists qualified seniors and veterans interested in assisted living, receive the benefits to help pay for their services and rent. Assists families in gathering knowledge about benefits they may be entitled to.
Terms & Acronyms
Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) A VA operated or a VA funded or reimbursed health care facility or site geographically distinct or separate from a parent medical facility. This term encompasses all types of VA outpatient clinics, except hospital-based, independent, and mobile clinics. Community-based outpatient clinics include those clinics previously known as satellite, community-based, and outreach clinics.
DEERS - Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System DEERS is a worldwide, computerized database of uniformed services members (sponsors), their family members, and others who are eligible for military benefits, including TRICARE. Proper registration in DEERS is necessary to receive timely and effective TRICARE benefits.
Domiciliary An institutional home for aged and disabled veterans who cannot care for themselves.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) A type of anxiety disorder triggered by a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
TRICARE a health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide. As a major component of the Military Health System, TRICARE brings together the health care resources of the uniformed services and supplements them with networks of civilian health care professionals, institutions, pharmacies and suppliers to provide access to high-quality health care services while maintaining the capability to support military operations. TRICARE offers several health plan options to meet the needs of it's beneficiary population, including two dental plans and several additional special programs.
Veteran A person who has served in a uniform service of the United States, and has separated or was honorably discharged from a uniform service. Specific definitions apply for benefit eligibility requirements.
Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) A system built on a client-server architecture, which ties together workstations and personal computers with graphical user interfaces at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, as well as software developed by local medical facility staff. VISTA also includes the links that allow commercial off-the-shelf software and products to be used with existing and future technologies. The Decision Support System (DSS) and other national databases that might be derived from locally generated data lie outside the scope of VISTA.
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