Publications by authors named "Lorrie Walker"
Article Synopsis
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) had the largest telehealth program in the U.S., and the pandemic prompted an expansion of telehealth to help veterans, particularly those experiencing housing instability (HI), access diabetes care.
- The study used mixed methods, including data analysis and interviews, to assess how diabetes care delivery via VA Video Connect (VVC) changed and which sociodemographic factors influenced usage among veterans with HI from 2019 to 2022.
- Findings revealed that younger, non-rural, and certain demographic groups of veterans were more likely to utilize VVC, while barriers to its use included in-person care limitations and the need for enhanced education and technology
Article Synopsis
- A qualitative study was conducted to explore how veterans experience and manage pain during the perinatal period, focusing on their pain management challenges and treatment preferences.
- The study involved interviews with 30 veterans who had pain-related musculoskeletal conditions and gave birth between March 2016 and June 2021, revealing key themes such as experiences of pain, challenges in receiving care, and recommendations for improved services.
- Veterans emphasized the need for better training for VHA providers on perinatal pain care and more inclusive coverage of complementary health options to enhance pain management during pregnancy and postpartum.
Understanding Women's Transitions from Military to Department of Veterans Affairs Care.
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- Over the past two decades, the percentage of women in the military has increased, comprising 17.3% of active-duty personnel and 21.4% of National Guard and reserves.
- Many of these women experience musculoskeletal injuries due to heavy loads and poorly fitting gear, requiring further treatment as they transition from Department of Defense (DoD) to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care.
- Interviews with 65 women veterans revealed six key issues regarding their transition, including injury-related stigma, inadequate assistance during the transition, challenges with body image, childcare burdens, and a strong desire for peer support services to maintain their health.
Article Synopsis
- A study of pregnant veterans using VA care found high rates of cesarean sections, with significant occurrences among racial/ethnic minoritized groups, particularly in the southern U.S.
- Interviews with 27 BIPOC veterans revealed that many had previous cesarean sections, with over 60% requesting labor after cesarean but often facing refusals or complications that led to repeated surgeries.
- Key issues identified included feelings of reduced maternal agency due to treatment differences, a lack of information in birthing decisions, and highlighting the potential benefits of VA-funded doula care for improving support and autonomy during labor.
Article Synopsis
- Chronic kidney disease and refractory hypertension are prevalent among Veterans, prompting an evaluation of a tele-nephrology program aimed at improving care for those in rural areas.
- The study involved interviews with clinicians, revealing key themes such as the importance of clinical champions, the transition to tele-nephrology as an effective solution, and the necessity for proper staffing during remote examinations.
- The findings suggest that while tele-nephrology can enhance access for Veterans, concerns about the availability of nephrology appointments and the need for further research on patient perspectives remain vital.
Background: Until recently, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical benefits package has expressly excluded in vitro fertilization (IVF) services for Veterans experiencing fertility problems. However, P.L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Pregnant persons have received mixed messages regarding whether or not to receive COVID-19 vaccines as limited data are available regarding vaccine safety for pregnant and lactating persons and breastfeeding infants.
Objective: The aims of this study were to examine pregnant Veteran's acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines, along with perceptions and beliefs regarding vaccine safety and vaccine conspiracy beliefs.
Design And Participants: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of pregnant Veterans enrolled in VA care who were taking part in an ongoing cohort study at 15 VA medical centers between January and May 2021.
Article Synopsis
- Pregnant and postpartum Veterans often face multiple traumas, like military sexual trauma and combat experiences, making them more susceptible to mental health issues, especially during stressful events like COVID-19.
- A study surveyed 111 pregnant Veterans at 15 VA medical centers, revealing that 60% had experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives, impacting their mental health significantly during the pandemic.
- The results showed that those with a trauma history were 3.5 times more likely to report worsening mental health and 8.5 times more likely to say COVID-19 severely affected their emotional well-being, indicating a need for better mental health care and support during and after pregnancy.
Introduction: Public Law 111-163 Section 206 of the Caregivers and Veteran Omnibus Health Services Act amended the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) medical benefits package to include 7 days of medical care for newborns delivered by Veterans. We examined the newborn outcomes among a cohort of women Veterans receiving VHA maternity benefits and care coordination.
Materials And Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of phone interview data from Veterans enrolled in the COMFORT (Center for Maternal and Infant Outcomes Research in Translation) study 2016-2020.
Purpose: As the number of women veterans receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) continues to increase, so does the need to access gender-specific preventive health care services through the VHA. In rural areas, women veterans are the numeric minority, so many preventive screenings are performed outside of the VA by community providers. As the numbers of veterans utilizing both VHA and non-VHA providers for their preventive care continue to increase, so does the need to coordinate this care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- * This study aims to analyze health care expenditures for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients across VAMCs and investigate the relationship between spending and survival rates.
- * Findings reveal significant variations in annual costs per patient (averaging around $21,300) across the 138 VAMCs, with a large percentage of the patient population being male and predominantly white.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates VA cardiovascular clinicians' attitudes towards quality-of-care processes, clinical outcomes, and healthcare value through interviews with 31 providers from various VA hospitals.
- Most participants were aware of process-of-care measurements and utilized regular feedback to modify their practices, but fewer used clinical outcomes data and almost none used value data to inform decision-making.
- The findings suggest that while there is enthusiasm for quality measurement efforts, the limited use of clinical outcomes and value data could lead to inefficiencies and potentially impact patient care negatively.
Importance: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates a nationwide system of hospitals and hospital-affiliated clinics, providing health care to more than 2 million veterans with cardiovascular disease. While data permitting hospital comparisons of the outcomes of acute cardiovascular care (eg, myocardial infarction) are publicly available, little is known about variation across VA medical centers (VAMCs) in outcomes of care for populations of patients with chronic, high-risk cardiovascular conditions.
Objective: To determine whether there are substantial differences in cardiovascular outcomes across VAMCs.
Are mHealth Interventions to Improve Child Restraint System Installation of Value? A Mixed Methods Study of Parents.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
September 2017
Article Synopsis
- - Childhood deaths from vehicle crashes highlight the urgent need for improved education on child restraint systems (CRS), with research revealing gaps in parental knowledge and challenges regarding usage.
- - A mixed-methods study conducted via focus groups and a national survey found a consistent demand for timely, personalized information about CRS among parents, despite variations among participants in age, race, and education level.
- - Most parents were unaware of car seat check professionals and showed interest in a personalized app for CRS information, although they believed more static content like initial installation guidelines would be better suited for a website.
Article Synopsis
- A study aimed to identify when and why parents sometimes don’t use child restraints in vehicles, despite overall increases in usage.
- An online survey was conducted with over 1,000 parents of children 10 and under, revealing that about 24% have driven with their child unrestrained at least once.
- Findings showed that many parents find it acceptable to let children go unrestrained in specific scenarios, particularly among younger, higher-income, and Latino respondents, indicating a need for focused safety campaigns.