Community Clinicians and the Veterans Choice Program for PTSD Care

Understanding Provider Interest During Early Implementation

Bibliographic Data

ID9103294
AuthorsErin P Finley (0000-0003-4497-7721, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, corresponding author), Polly Hitchcock Noël (0000-0002-1519-7489, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, corresponding author), Michael Mäder (0000-0002-0341-0641, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX), Elizabeth Haro (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX), Elizabeth K Haro (0000-0003-3595-5432, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center), Nancy Bernardy (VA National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT), Nancy C Bernardy (0000-0002-2169-5214, Dartmouth College), Craig S Rosen (0000-0002-4493-9066, National Center for PTSD Dissemination & Training Division, Palo Alto), Mary Bollinger (0000-0003-1320-1197, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, corresponding author), Hector A Garcia (0000-0003-3671-047X, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center), Hector Garcia (University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX), Kathleen Sherrieb (VA National Center for PTSD, White River Junction, VT), Mary Jo Pugh (0000-0003-4196-7763, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center, corresponding author), Mary Jo V Pugh (South Texas Veterans Health Care System)
Year2017
Volume55
IssueSuppl 1
PagesS61-S70
Publication date2017-07-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedical Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0025-7079 • E-ISSN: 1537-1948
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/mlr.0000000000000668
PMID28146035
OpenAlexW2587622624
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited10

BACKGROUND: In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) to provide reimbursement for community-based care to eligible veterans. Inadequate networks of participating providers may impact the utility of VCP for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a complex condition occurring at lower frequency among civilians. OBJECTIVES: To compare characteristics and attitudes of community-based primary care and mental health providers reporting interest or no interest in VCP participation during early implementation; and to examine perceptions and experiences of VCP among "early adopters." RESEARCH DESIGN: Cross-sectional surveys with 2 samples: a stratified random sample of mental health and primary care prescribers and psychotherapists drawn from state licensing boards (Community Sample); and a stratified random sample of prescribers and psychotherapists identified as VCP-authorized providers (VCP-Authorized). SUBJECTS: Five hundred fifty-three respondents in the Community Sample and 115 in the VCP-Authorized (total, n=668; 21.1% response). MEASURES: Surveys assessed provider and practice characteristics, attitudes to VA and VCP, and experiences and satisfaction with the VCP; an open-ended survey item assessed providers' reasons for interest or lack of interest in VCP participation. RESULTS: Few providers reported VCP participation during this period. Interest in VCP participation was associated across provider groups with factors including being a veteran and receiving VA reimbursement; currently providing treatment for PTSD was associated with interest in VCP participation among psychotherapists, but not prescribers. CONCLUSIONS: Developing networks of VCP providers to serve Veterans with PTSD is likely to require targeting more receptive provider groups, reducing barriers to participation, and more effectively communicating the value of VCP participation to providers

Family medicine · Health care · Mental health · Psychiatry · Reimbursement · Stratified sampling · Veterans Affairs · Medicine · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Primary Care and Health Outcomes · Trauma and Emergency Care Studies

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