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Sprong ME, Hollender H, Lee YS, Rawlins Williams LA, Sneed Z, Garakani A, Buono FD. Disparities in program enrollment and employment outcomes for veterans with psychiatric and co-occurring substance use disorders referred or enrolled for VHA vocational rehabilitation. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1200450. [PMID: 37520235 PMCID: PMC10382058 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1200450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The purpose of the study was to investigate factors that influence vocational rehabilitation program enrollment and employment at discharge of veterans with psychiatric and co-occurring alcohol and other substance use disorders enrolled at a veteran health administration (VHA) medical center. Methods A sample of 2,550 veteran patients referred for VHA vocational rehabilitation between 2016 and 2021 were examined for the current study. The current study was classified as quality improvement/assurance, thus resulting in exempt research by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Institutional Review Board. Results Veterans with active alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and co-occurring depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or bipolar disorders were less likely to be enrolled for vocational rehabilitation program services compared to those without these co-occurring diagnoses. Veterans with AUD (active & in-remission status combined into one category) and a diagnosis of anxiety were less likely to be employed at discharge compared to veterans with AUDs and no anxiety diagnosis (anxiety diagnosis - 3.5% vs. no anxiety diagnosis - 5.8%). Discussion VHA vocational rehabilitation can be an effective intervention to assist veterans in reintegrating back into the community. Yet, there appears to be some disparities in the program enrollment and employment at discharge, depending on the nature of the psychiatric diagnosis. Investigating the factors contributing (mediating or moderating) to these discrepancies are needed. Although it appears access is not the issue in being referred for vocational rehabilitation services, other factors are likely contributing to program entry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E. Sprong
- Edward Hines Jr. VA Medical Center, Hines, IL, United States
- School of Public Management and Policy, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Heaven Hollender
- Department of Health Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yu-Sheng Lee
- School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability, and Public Health, University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Lee Ann Rawlins Williams
- Rehabilitation and Human Services, College of Education and Human Development, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States
| | - Zach Sneed
- School of Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Amir Garakani
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Frank D. Buono
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Sprong ME, Hollender H, Pechek AA, Forziat-Pytel K, Buono FD. Effects of VHA Policy Directive 1163 on Acceptance and Employment Rates for Veterans with Substance Use Disorders Referred to VHA Vocational Rehabilitation. Subst Abuse 2022; 16:11782218221132397. [PMID: 36452410 PMCID: PMC9703520 DOI: 10.1177/11782218221132397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research has shown that Veterans with Substance/Alcohol Use Disorders (SUDs/AUDs) are at a greater risk for employment-related issues (eg, lower labor force participation rates), and interventions such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) have been used as a tool to reduce employment obtainment and maintenance. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate acceptance rates and employment rates at closure for Veterans with SUDs/AUDs prior to the implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 (mandated that Veterans are not refused services based on prior or current SUD/AUDs). SUD/AUDs were coded to reflect DSM 5-TR criteria of active use and in-remission. METHODS Data from a VHA Vocational Rehabilitation program in the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 network were obtained for the purpose of the current study. RESULTS Findings showed that Veterans with AUDs were less likely to be accepted for VR services prior and after implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163. CONCLUSIONS When examining active and inactive SUDs/AUDs, findings showed that implementation of VHA Policy Directive 1163 was not effective for Veterans with AUDs. One factor that was not explored but could explain disparities in program acceptance rates is duration of program entry. If a Veteran has a consult placed for VHA Vocational Rehabilitation services, and their program entry date (date accepted) is a significant duration, then perhaps Veterans with active AUDs start drinking again given that they are waiting for vocational assistance. Thus, it would be important to assist Veterans with active AUDs into services in a timely manner (perhaps prior them being discharged from SUD treatment).
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Sprong
- Department of Veteran Affairs – VA Illiana Health Care System, Danville, IL, USA
- VA Edwards Hines Jr. Health Care System, Hines, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Heaven Hollender
- Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ashley A Pechek
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Lock Haven), Lock Haven, PA, USA
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Spinola S, Fenton BT, Meshberg-Cohen S, Black AC, Rosen MI. Comparison of attitudes towards the service connection claims process among veterans filing for PTSD and veterans filing for musculoskeletal disorders. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27068. [PMID: 34477140 PMCID: PMC8415949 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Many veterans have negative views about the service connection claims process for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which likely impacts willingness to file service connection claims, re-file claims, and use Veterans Healthcare Administration care. Nevertheless, veterans have reported that PTSD claims are important to them for the financial benefits, validation of prior experience and harm, and self-other issues such as pleasing a significant other. It is unknown if reported attitudes are specific to PTSD claimants or if they would be similar to those submitting claims for other disorders, such as musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare attitudes and beliefs about service connection processes between veterans submitting service connection claims for PTSD and musculoskeletal disorders.Participants were Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn veterans filing service connection claims for PTSD (n = 218) or musculoskeletal disorder (n = 257) who completed a modified Disability Application Appraisal Inventory. This secondary data analysis using multiple regression models tested the effect of demographics, clinical characteristics, and claim type on 5 Disability Application Appraisal Inventory subscales: Knowledge about service connection claims, Negative Expectations about the process, and importance of Financial Benefits, importance of Validation of veteran's experience/condition, and importance of Self-Other attitudes.The PTSD group assigned significantly less importance to financial benefits than the musculoskeletal disorder group. In addition, the subset of the PTSD group without depression had significantly more Negative Expectations than musculoskeletal disorder claimants without depression. Negative Expectations did not differ between the PTSD and musculoskeletal disorder groups with depression. Depression was significantly positively associated with Negative Expectations, importance of Financial Benefits, and importance of Validation.Most perceptions around seeking service connection are not specific to PTSD claimants. Depression is associated with having negative expectations about service connection claims and motivations to file claims. Addressing depression and negative expectations during the compensation and pension process might help veterans at this important point of contact with Veterans Healthcare Administration services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Spinola
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CT
| | - Brenda T. Fenton
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, CT
| | - Sarah Meshberg-Cohen
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CT
| | - Anne C. Black
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, CT
| | - Marc I. Rosen
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, CT
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Shepherd-Banigan M, Pogoda TK, McKenna K, Sperber N, Van Houtven CH. Experiences of VA vocational and education training and assistance services: Facilitators and barriers reported by veterans with disabilities. Psychiatr Rehabil J 2021; 44:148-156. [PMID: 32597666 PMCID: PMC9677616 DOI: 10.1037/prj0000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the experiences of veterans with disabilities and caregiving needs who use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) vocational and education services, including Supported Employment, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment. METHOD We conducted 26 joint semistructured interviews with post-9/11 veterans who had used at least one of three vocational and education services, and their family members who were enrolled in a VA Caregiver Support Program. RESULTS VA vocational and education services helped veterans with disabilities transition from the military into civilian life by providing skills and incremental exposure to engaging in everyday life tasks. Veteran motivation, caregiver support, and engaged staff at VA and academic institutions were key drivers of veteran success. Veterans who experienced challenges cited the following barriers: health problems, concerns about benefits loss if they became employed, and VA and academic programs that did not accommodate the needs of nontraditional veteran learners. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE There is a need to bolster VA vocational and educational services for veterans with disabilities in several domains, including modifying the roles of frontline staff and increasing communication between vocational counselors and health care teams to better accommodate the veteran's health-related limitations. Providing a vocational rehabilitation navigator to help veterans identify opportunities within VA and work/educational settings that are a good match for the veteran's goals and abilities could also be beneficial across vocational and educational services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Shepherd-Banigan
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D), Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation(ADAPT),VA Durham Healthcare System
| | - Terri K Pogoda
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System
| | - Kevin McKenna
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke School of Medicine
| | - Nina Sperber
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D), Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation(ADAPT),VA Durham Healthcare System
| | - Courtney H Van Houtven
- Durham Veterans Affairs Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D), Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation(ADAPT),VA Durham Healthcare System
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Jankowski RL, Black AC, Lazar CM, Brummett BR, Rosen MI. Consideration of substance use in compensation and pension examinations of veterans filing PTSD claims. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210938. [PMID: 30726261 PMCID: PMC6364894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterans filing claims that service-induced PTSD impairs them worry that claims examiners may attribute their difficulties to conditions other than PTSD, such as substance use. Substance use commonly co-occurs with PTSD and complicates establishing a PTSD diagnosis because symptoms may be explained by PTSD alone, PTSD-induced substance use, or by a substance use condition independent of PTSD. These alternative explanations of symptoms lead to different conclusions about whether a PTSD diagnosis can be made. How substance use impacts an examiner’s diagnosis of PTSD in a Veteran’s service-connection claim has not been previously studied. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that mention of risky substance use in the Compensation & Pension (C&P) examination would result in a lower likelihood of service-connection award, presumably because substance use reflected an alternative explanation for symptoms. Data were analyzed from 208 Veterans’ C&P examinations, medical records, and confidentially-collected research assessments. In this sample, 165/208 (79%) Veterans’ claims were approved for a mental health condition; 70/83 (84%) with risky substance use mentioned and 95/125 (76%) without risky use mentioned (p = .02). Contrary to the a priori hypothesis, Veterans with risky substance use were more likely to get a service-connection award, even after controlling for baseline PTSD severity and other potential confounds. They had almost twice the odds of receiving any mental health award and 2.4 times greater odds of receiving an award for PTSD specifically. These data contradict assertions of bias against Veterans with risky substance use when their claims are reviewed. The data are more consistent with substance use often being judged as a symptom of PTSD. The more liberal granting of awards is consistent with literature concerning comorbid PTSD and substance use, and with claims procedures that make it more likely that substance use will be attributed to trauma exposure than to other causes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Jankowski
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Anne C. Black
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Christina M. Lazar
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Bradley R. Brummett
- VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Marc I. Rosen
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Veterans' compensation claims beliefs predict timing of PTSD treatment use relative to compensation and pension exam. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0209488. [PMID: 30589882 PMCID: PMC6307722 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction In this study we developed the Disability Beliefs Scale to assess Veterans’ beliefs that engaging in treatment, as well as other behaviors, would affect the likelihood of a Veteran’s being awarded disability-related benefits. We posited that Veterans with stronger beliefs that attending mental health treatment would facilitate a service-connection award would be more likely to attend PTSD treatment before their compensation and pension examinations for PTSD. Methods Electronic health records for 307 post-9/11-era Veterans applying for compensation and pension for service-connected PTSD and engaging in a clinical trial of a treatment-referral intervention were analyzed for PTSD-specific and more general mental health treatment use around the time of their compensation examinations. All participants completed the Disability Beliefs Scale and other baseline assessments. Multilevel models assessed change in treatment use as a function of time relative to the C&P exam, compensation examination status (before or after), and the interaction between examination status and beliefs about treatment benefits. Results No main effects of time or examination status were observed. As hypothesized, beliefs about treatment benefits moderated the effect of examination status on PTSD treatment use. Veterans believing more strongly that mental health treatment would help a claim differentially attended PTSD treatment before the examination than after. The effect was not observed for general mental health treatment use. Conclusion The association between Veterans’ use of PTSD treatment and their service-connection examination status was moderated by beliefs that receiving treatment affects the service-connection decision. This suggests that factors reported to motivate seeking service-connection—finances, validation of Veterans’ experiences, and the involvement of significant others—might also help motivate Veterans’ use of effective PTSD treatments. However, the results reflect correlations that could be explained in other ways, and service-connection was one of many factors impacting PTSD treatment engagement.
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Rhon DI, Marchant BG, Mansell NS. Randomized Controlled Trial of Hip Arthroscopy Surgery vs Physical Therapy: Response. Am J Sports Med 2018; 46:NP38-NP39. [PMID: 29953288 DOI: 10.1177/0363546518777482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Timko C, Schultz NR, Britt J, Cucciare MA. Transitioning From Detoxification to Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers. J Subst Abuse Treat 2016; 70:64-72. [PMID: 27692190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Although successful transitions from detoxification to substance use disorder treatment are associated with improved outcomes, many detoxification patients do not initiate treatment. This qualitative study informs detoxification and addiction treatment providers, and health systems, about how to improve detoxification to treatment transitions, by reporting detoxification providers' views of transition facilitators and barriers. The sample consisted of 30 providers from 30 Veterans Health Administration detoxification programs. Themes regarding transition facilitators and barriers emerged at the patient, program (detoxification programs, and addiction programs), and system levels. Detoxification program-level practices of discharge planning, patient education, and rapport building were reported as facilitating the transition to treatment. Six themes captured transition facilitators within addiction treatment programs: the provision of evidence-based practices, patient-centered care, care coordination, aftercare, convenience, and a well-trained and professional staff. This study expands previous literature on detoxification and addiction treatment by systematically and qualitatively examining factors that promote and hinder treatment initiation after inpatient and outpatient detoxification, from a provider perspective, in an era of health care reform and expanded substance use disorder treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Timko
- Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Nicole R Schultz
- Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA.
| | - Jessica Britt
- Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), Department of Veterans Affairs, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology-Stanford University Consortium, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA.
| | - Michael A Cucciare
- Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Veterans Affairs South Central (VISN 16) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA.
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