223125 New Visions: Exploring the Health Experiences of Disabled Women Veterans through Photovoice

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 11:06 AM - 11:24 AM

Allison A. Brown, PhD , Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL
Gwenn E. Garmon, MD, MS , Women Veterans Health Center, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Marian L. Fitzgibbon, PhD , Department of Medicine, HPR, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Todd A. Lee, PharmD, PhD , Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL
A patient-centered needs assessment pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of a unique and innovative method to examine facilitators and barriers to VA health services for women veterans with disabilities. Nine female participants who self-identified as having a disability were recruited from a local VA women's health center. The study used multiple data sources, including personal interviews, group discussions, photographs, and narratives, and culminated with a public Photovoice Exhibit, presentations to the VA community, the public, local news media, and hospital administrators. Key concerns were identified and grouped into 5 major themes: a) military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and experiences with mental health services, b) the need for improved physical access and safety and within the VA facility, c) challenges with the disability and trauma claims process, d) gender and disability sensitivity training for health providers and administrators, and e) the need for greater recognition and visibility for disabled women veterans. In addition, the women expressed having a positive appreciation for having a women's health center and offered recommendations for improving other health services. The findings from this pilot study support further application of Photovoice to facilitate participatory action research techniques that promote partnerships among researchers, clinicians, administrators, and patients. Implications for engaging interdisciplinary practice and future research will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1)Identify health care issues for women veterans with disabilities 2)Describe the technique of Photovoice in health research 3)Discuss the use of Photovoice in participatory action research with marginalized or underserved groups

Keywords: Veterans, Disability

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I conduct research on disability and women's health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.