Collaborative health care: Promoting self-health management with women veterans

Background/significance: The increase women in the military is reshaping the veteran population and Veterans Affairs (VA) health care delivery. Research indicates that women veterans desire gender-focused care and have similar needs as non-military women in the general population who want holistic, comprehensive health care, beyond reproductive care.

Objective/purpose: Given the historically male-dominated patient population in the VA, a gender-based educational program is needed to improve the provision of services to women. Program/Discussion: The GENDER model and in-service training was developed to 1) offer support to VA providers in their efforts to achieve strategic objectives of patient-centered care and improved services to women veterans; 2) suggest ways that GENDER principles might be translated into clinical practice and fostered through a collaborative approach without incurring significant costs; and 3) increase preventative health behaviors and enhance the health status of women veterans. By the end of the training session, participants will be able to translate principles into clinical practice: G – Gender sensitivity is described as contextualizing women's health in relation to their lives. E – Displaying a caring attitude and the expression of Empathy. N – Neutralize power differentials by encouraging patients' active participation in the management of their health. D – Determine health risks of the patient given her relevant biomedical and sociocultural health risk factors. E – Reassure patients by sharing Expertise and the process of how you came to know more about women's health. R – beyond listening, demonstrate Respect. A formative evaluation will offer feedback on program effectiveness and lead to an evidenced-based program.