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Journal of General Internal Medicine
Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine 1/2010

Open Access 01-01-2010 | Perspective

Integration of Women Veterans into VA Quality Improvement Research Efforts: What Researchers Need to Know

Authors: Elizabeth M. Yano, PhD, MSPH, Patricia Hayes, PhD, Steven Wright, PhD, Paula P. Schnurr, PhD, Linda Lipson, MA, Bevanne Bean-Mayberry, MD, MSHS, Donna L. Washington, MD, MPH

Published in: Journal of General Internal Medicine | Special Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies require funded researchers to include women in their studies. Historically, many researchers have indicated they will include women in proportion to their VA representation or pointed to their numerical minority as justification for exclusion. However, women’s participation in the military—currently 14% of active military—is rapidly changing veteran demographics, with women among the fastest growing segments of new VA users. These changes will require researchers to meet the challenge of finding ways to adequately represent women veterans for meaningful analysis. We describe women veterans’ health and health-care use, note how VA care is organized to meet their needs, report gender differences in quality, highlight national plans for women veterans’ quality improvement, and discuss VA women’s health research. We then discuss challenges and potential solutions for increasing representation of women veterans in VA research, including steps for implementation research.
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Metadata
Title
Integration of Women Veterans into VA Quality Improvement Research Efforts: What Researchers Need to Know
Authors
Elizabeth M. Yano, PhD, MSPH
Patricia Hayes, PhD
Steven Wright, PhD
Paula P. Schnurr, PhD
Linda Lipson, MA
Bevanne Bean-Mayberry, MD, MSHS
Donna L. Washington, MD, MPH
Publication date
01-01-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of General Internal Medicine / Issue Special Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0884-8734
Electronic ISSN: 1525-1497
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-009-1116-4

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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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