Identifying Gaps in Patient-Provider Communication and Improving Care for Veterans with Gulf War Illness
Abstract
The overarching challenge that this research proposal addresses is the communication between Primary Care Providers and Veterans with Gulf War Illness. Research has shown that many Primary Care Providers do not have enough information regarding Gulf War Illness, its relation to harmful exposures during deployment, and potential treatments. Recently, researchers have been studying these gaps in information by interviewing Gulf War Veterans about their communication with their Primary Care Providers. Our proposal aims to assess the Primary Care Providers directly about their knowledge of GWI. We will also create a training for those Primary Care Providers based off the needs identified in the first assessment. The training created will seek to improve Primary Care Providers’ knowledge of Gulf War Illness, its relation to exposures during deployment, and potential treatments. There will be three parts to this research proposal: A Pre-Test, Training, and a Post-Test. The pre-test will assess the current knowledge and communication strategies that Primary Care Providers use. Three months later, based off the weaknesses and needs identified through the Pre-Test, we will send the Primary Care Providers a video training module on Gulf War Illness for them to review. Three months following the training module, Primary Care Providers will receive the Post-Test, to assess whether the training has succeeded in increasing their knowledge of GWI, its relation to exposures during deployment, and potential treatments available. It is the goal of this proposal to increase awareness and knowledge of Gulf War Illness so that clinicians can more effectively communicate with their Gulf War Veteran patients and provide appropriate care. With this training, Primary Care Providers will be able to communicate more effectively with Gulf War Veterans regarding symptomatology, its relation to different harmful exposures during deployment, and potential treatments. This proposal will have a major impact on the care given to Gulf War Veterans by serving as a bridge from research to clinical care by improving the quality of life of Veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2010801
Entities
People
- Maxine H Krengel
Organizations
- Boston VA Research Institute
- United States Army