Dedicated to the Mission: Strategies US Department of Veterans Affairs Home-Based Primary Care Teams Apply to Keep Veterans at Home

Leah M. Haverhals, Chelsea Manheim, Carrie Gilman, Jurgis Karuza, Tobie Olsan, Samuel T. Edwards, Cari R. Levy, Suzanne M. Gillespie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Program provides interdisciplinary, long-term primary care for frail, disabled, or chronically ill veterans. This research identifies strategies used by HBPC teams to support veterans in their homes, rather than in institutionalized care. DESIGN: Focus groups and semistructured interviews were conducted with HBPC interdisciplinary team (IDT) members, including program directors, medical directors, and key staff, from September 2017 to March 2018. Field observations were gathered during visits to veterans’ homes and IDT meetings. SETTING: In-person site visits were conducted at eight HBPC Programs across the United States. Sites varied in location, setting, and primary care model. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 105 HBPC professionals. MEASUREMENT: Qualitative thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Four main strategies drive and support the shared mission of IDTs to support veterans at home: fostering frequent communication among IDT members, veterans, caregivers, and outside agencies; development of longitudinal, trusting, reliable relationships within IDTs and with veterans and caregivers; ongoing, consistent education for IDT members and veterans and caregivers; and collaboration within and outside IDTs. Adhering to this mission meant providing timely and efficient care that kept veterans in their homes and minimized the need for acute hospitalizations and nursing home placement. CONCLUSION: HBPC IDTs studied worked together across disciplines to effectively create a dedicated culture of caring for veterans, caregivers, and themselves, leading to keeping veterans at home. Focusing on the strategies identified in this research may be useful to achieve similar positive outcomes when caring for medically complex, homebound patients within and outside the VA. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2511–2518, 2019.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2511-2518
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society
Volume67
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

Keywords

  • home-based primary care
  • interdisciplinary teams
  • strategies
  • veterans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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