Veterans Perception of Provider's Delivery of Military Culturally Competent Care Within a VA Mental Health Outpatient Clinic

A general knowledge of military culture when working with veterans is a way to enhance mental health care. The Veterans Health Administration identified this fact in a published strategic summary in 2011 and other associated data indicates improved knowledge of military culture is a priority for all providers caring for veterans. This project gave veterans an opportunity to voice their perception of a provider's ability associated with military cultural knowledge. Furthermore, the project provided an opportunity for providers to engage in an educational module to increase understanding of military culture. There were three objectives for this study: 1. Examine veteran perception of mental health provider's military cultural competence in the outpatient mental health clinic of a local Salt Lake City Healthcare System. 2. Provide an educational intervention to healthcare clinicians focused on enhancing cultural competence. 3. Submit project outcomes to the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) council at the local Veteran Affair (VA) outpatient mental health clinic. The literature review and educational module consisted of subject matter appropriate to military culture that would be advantageous for a mental health provider to know: reasons for joining the military, the military as an institution, military ethos and core values, class system, occupational specialty, and barriers to seeking mental health care. The veteran questionnaire measured veteran's perceptions of the key areas identified within the literature review and 28 veterans completed the questionnaire. The use of REDCap served as a conduit for the providers learning module including information gleaned from the veteran's perception questionnaire as well as a pre and post provider questionnaire. Twelve providers completed the educational module and pre/post questionnaire. A summary presentation at the local VA APRN Council included statistical analysis of both the veteran's perception questionnaire and provider questionnaire results. Similar perceptions occurred between providers and veterans within three areas: motivation for joining the military, military as an institution and military ethos and core values. The veteran questionnaire revealed veterans perceived providers had greater confidence in their knowledge of rank structure and military occupations. Following the provider education module, all providers reported improved ability to integrate military culture into their care of veterans. The provider pre and post-test results reflected increased knowledge of military culture across all questionnaire areas: improved provider insight, encouraged knowledge seeking and influence the likelihood of incorporating military culture into practice. Providers caring for veterans require resources to learn military culture and available resources need greater marketing to providers.