Identifying Gaps in Patient-Provider Communication and Improving Care for Veterans with Gulf War Illness
Abstract
Research has shown that there are gaps in knowledge that Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) have regarding Gulf War Illness (GWI), etiology, and potential treatments. Recently, researchers have been studying the gaps by interviewing GW veterans (GWVs). This proposal goes one step further by assessing and designing training materials for PCPs to increase their knowledge of GWI. It is essential to provide appropriate training modules, so that clinicians can more effectively communicate with their GWV patients and provide appropriate care. The goals of this project are to identify the gaps in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community Primary Care Physicians' (PCPs) knowledge about GWI with the use of clinical case examples. PCPs will be asked for their care plan and treatment initiatives. The gaps found will be used to target training materials, which will be sent to these PCPs. The main objective is to provide PCPs with a training module aimed at increasing their knowledge of GWI, the etiology, and potential treatments. We will assess the efficacy of the training module by comparing PCPs knowledge pre and post training. Our team at VA Boston are clinicians and researchers who have strong ties to communities who serve GWVs. Through our work with the GW treatment and biorepository consortia and their veteran advisory board, we will strategically include our new training module for use in VA and community wide programs. This proposal will have a major impact on the care given to GWVs by serving as a conduit from the research realm to directly impacting clinical care and improving the quality of life of ailing GWVs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1223168
Entities
People
- Maxine H Krengel
Organizations
- Boston VA Research Institute