Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare – Resources
Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Veterans and Access to Healthcare.
American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans in the Indian Health Service: Health Status, Utilization, and Cost
Highlights a study evaluating the care received by veterans through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses the reimbursement agreements between the VA and IHS and compares health outcomes of veteran and non-veterans receiving care through IHS. Breaks down data by age group, health condition, and veteran status, among other measures.
Author(s): Carol E. Kaufman, Laura Grau, Rene Begay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 17(4), e0266378
Date: 04/2022
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Highlights a study evaluating the care received by veterans through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Discusses the reimbursement agreements between the VA and IHS and compares health outcomes of veteran and non-veterans receiving care through IHS. Breaks down data by age group, health condition, and veteran status, among other measures.
Author(s): Carol E. Kaufman, Laura Grau, Rene Begay, et al.
Citation: PLOS One, 17(4), e0266378
Date: 04/2022
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Suicide Among American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Who Use Veterans Health Administration Care: 2004–2018
Examines suicide rates between 2004 and 2018 in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans who utilized healthcare services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Examines trends in suicide rates by 5-year observation periods starting in 2004 and breaks down data by age, sex, and race (single race AI/AN or multi-race AI/AN).
Author(s): Nathaniel V. Mohatt, Claire A. Hoffmire, Alexandra L. Schneider, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 60(4), 275-278
Date: 04/2022
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Examines suicide rates between 2004 and 2018 in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) veterans who utilized healthcare services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Examines trends in suicide rates by 5-year observation periods starting in 2004 and breaks down data by age, sex, and race (single race AI/AN or multi-race AI/AN).
Author(s): Nathaniel V. Mohatt, Claire A. Hoffmire, Alexandra L. Schneider, et al.
Citation: Medical Care, 60(4), 275-278
Date: 04/2022
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Veteran Dental Care Stimulates the Economy and Improves Overall Health
Report discusses veterans' access to oral healthcare and explores the economic implications to expanding dental care to veterans. Highlights the economic impact of dental clinics on rural communities, as well as expanding oral healthcare coverage to veterans.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Report discusses veterans' access to oral healthcare and explores the economic implications to expanding dental care to veterans. Highlights the economic impact of dental clinics on rural communities, as well as expanding oral healthcare coverage to veterans.
Date: 04/2022
Sponsoring organization: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
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Mental Health Service Use, Suicide Behavior, and Emergency Department Visits Among Rural US Veterans Who Received Video-Enabled Tablets During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Results of a study to examine whether a United States Veterans Affairs initiative to distribute video-enabled tablets during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental healthcare access, suicide behavior, or emergency department (ED) visits among rural veterans. Features demographics and statistics on mental health services use and ED visits, with breakdowns by tablet recipients and nonrecipients.
Author(s): Kritee Gujral, James Van Campen, Josephine Jacobs, et al.
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 5(4)
Date: 04/2022
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Veterans Health Care: Efforts to Hire Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists
Describes efforts taken by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to promote the hiring of licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) at Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities. Examines the extent to which VA medical facilities are employing LPMHCs and MFTs and how their recent employment compares with other mental health professions. Discusses considerations regarding the availability of LPMHCs and MFTs in rural communities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Describes efforts taken by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to promote the hiring of licensed professional mental health counselors (LPMHC) and marriage and family therapists (MFT) at Department of Veterans Affairs' facilities. Examines the extent to which VA medical facilities are employing LPMHCs and MFTs and how their recent employment compares with other mental health professions. Discusses considerations regarding the availability of LPMHCs and MFTs in rural communities.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Strengthening Excellence in Research through Veteran Engagement (SERVE) Toolkit 2.0
Presents a toolkit to provide guidance for researchers looking to engage veterans in their research. Highlights successful practices and guidance for the implementation and evaluation of research-based programs. Discusses challenges and successes working with veterans from a number of different demographics, including rural.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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Presents a toolkit to provide guidance for researchers looking to engage veterans in their research. Highlights successful practices and guidance for the implementation and evaluation of research-based programs. Discusses challenges and successes working with veterans from a number of different demographics, including rural.
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: VA Health Systems Research, Office of Research & Development
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VA Recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission
Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing equitable access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Presents Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) recommendations to the Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission to modernize and realign the VA health care system. Recommendations cover investing in the VA outpatient care infrastructure, enhancing care for veterans with complex needs, providing equitable access to inpatient medical and surgical care, and strengthening the VA's ability to execute its education, research, and emergency preparedness missions. Volume I outlines the legislative history; the present and future of VA health care, including the access needs of rural veterans; the methodology used to conduct the market assessments; and a national summary of the recommendations. Volume II details the recommendations and is organized by the 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Additional links: Appendices, Volume I, Volume II
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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Veterans Community Care Program: VA Should Strengthen Its Ability to Identify Ineligible Health Care Providers
Examines the extent to which vulnerabilities in Veterans Community Care Program eligibility requirements contribute to potentially ineligible providers participating in the program. Offers recommendations to the Veterans Administration to enhance provider eligibility controls and oversight.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Examines the extent to which vulnerabilities in Veterans Community Care Program eligibility requirements contribute to potentially ineligible providers participating in the program. Offers recommendations to the Veterans Administration to enhance provider eligibility controls and oversight.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 03/2022
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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"I was Unsure at First": A Qualitative Evaluation of Patient Perceptions of VA Clinical Video Telehealth Visits in the V-IMPACT Program
Features a study evaluating a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) program using video-based telehealth to expand access to primary care to rural veterans. Draws conclusions based on interviews with patients who utilized the program.
Author(s): Ashley C Mog, Megan Moldestad, Rachael Kenney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Patient Experience, 9
Date: 01/2022
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Features a study evaluating a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) program using video-based telehealth to expand access to primary care to rural veterans. Draws conclusions based on interviews with patients who utilized the program.
Author(s): Ashley C Mog, Megan Moldestad, Rachael Kenney, et al.
Citation: Journal of Patient Experience, 9
Date: 01/2022
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Association of Rurality With Annual Repeat Lung Cancer Screening in the Veterans Health Administration
Reviews electronic health records of veterans in rural and nonrural areas who utilized Veterans Affairs medical centers from 2015 to 2019. Examines geographic trends among veteran populations who complete annual repeat lung cancer screenings. Includes information on barriers rural veterans face in accessing screenings and potential solutions to address them. Reports on rural versus nonrural data further broken down according to age, sex, race, ethnicity, and comorbidities, among other demographic information.
Author(s): Lucy B. Spalluto, Jennifer A. Lewis, Lauren R. Samuels, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American College of Radiology, 19(1 PB), 131-138
Date: 01/2022
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Reviews electronic health records of veterans in rural and nonrural areas who utilized Veterans Affairs medical centers from 2015 to 2019. Examines geographic trends among veteran populations who complete annual repeat lung cancer screenings. Includes information on barriers rural veterans face in accessing screenings and potential solutions to address them. Reports on rural versus nonrural data further broken down according to age, sex, race, ethnicity, and comorbidities, among other demographic information.
Author(s): Lucy B. Spalluto, Jennifer A. Lewis, Lauren R. Samuels, et al.
Citation: Journal of the American College of Radiology, 19(1 PB), 131-138
Date: 01/2022
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Last Updated: 4/11/2025