Examining the effects of community care programs on Veterans' health care quality and experiences
Leveraging a natural experiment to identify the effects of VA community care programs on health care quality, equity, and Veteran experiences
This study looks at how new programs in the Veterans Affairs system are changing the quality of health care for Veterans, especially those who might need extra support, by comparing their experiences with community providers and seeing if there are any differences in care among various groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11077264 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how recent changes in the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, specifically the Veterans Choice Program and MISSION Act, affect the quality and equity of health care for Veterans. By using a quasi-experimental design, the study will analyze outcomes for Veterans, particularly those who are medically and socially vulnerable, to understand the impact of receiving care from community providers. The research will also assess patient experiences through surveys to identify disparities in care quality among different groups of Veterans.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who have utilized community care services under the Veterans Choice Program or MISSION Act.
Not a fit: Patients who have not accessed community care services or are not Veterans may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health care quality and access for Veterans, particularly those in vulnerable populations.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in evaluating health care access and quality improvements through similar community care initiatives, indicating that this approach is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- Veterans Health Administration — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gellad, Walid F. — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Gellad, Walid F.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.