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Tytuł:
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Utilization of Mental Health Services by Veterans Living in Rural Areas.
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Autorzy:
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Teich J; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland.
Ali MM; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland.
Lynch S; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland.
Mutter R; Center for Behavioral Health Statistics & Quality, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, Maryland.
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Źródło:
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The Journal of rural health : official journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association [J Rural Health] 2017 Jun; Vol. 33 (3), pp. 297-304. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Oct 04.
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Typ publikacji:
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Journal Article
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Język:
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English
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Imprint Name(s):
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Publication: [Oxford, Eng.] : Blackwell
Original Publication: [Burlington, Vt.?] : Journal of Rural Health, c1985-
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MeSH Terms:
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Mental Health Services/*statistics & numerical data
Rural Population/*statistics & numerical data
Veterans/*statistics & numerical data
Adult ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility/standards ; Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Veterans/psychology
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Contributed Indexing:
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Keywords: access to care; health disparities; mental health; rural veteran health; utilization of health services
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Entry Date(s):
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Date Created: 20161005 Date Completed: 20180501 Latest Revision: 20220409
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Update Code:
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20240104
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DOI:
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10.1111/jrh.12221
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PMID:
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27701791
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Purpose: There is concern that veterans living in rural areas may not be receiving the mental health (MH) treatment they need. This study uses recent national survey data to examine the utilization of MH treatment among military veterans with a MH condition living in rural areas, providing comparisons with estimates of veterans living in urban areas.
Methods: Multivariable logistic regression is utilized to examine differences in MH service use by urban/rural residence, controlling for other factors. Rates of utilization of inpatient and outpatient treatment, psychotropic medication, any MH treatment, and perceived unmet need for MH care are examined.
Findings: There were significant differences in MH treatment utilization among veterans by rural/urban residence. Multivariate estimates indicate that compared to veterans with a MH condition living in urban areas, veterans in rural areas had 70% lower odds of receiving any MH treatment. Veterans with a MH condition in rural areas have approximately 52% and 64% lower odds of receiving outpatient treatment and prescription medications, respectively, compared to those living in urban areas. Differences in perceived unmet need for mental health treatment were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: While research indicates that recent efforts to improve MH service delivery have resulted in improved access to services, this study found that veterans' rates of MH treatment are lower in rural areas, compared to urban areas. Continued efforts to support the provision of behavioral health services to rural veterans are needed. Telemedicine, using rural providers to their maximum potential, and engagement with community stakeholder groups are promising approaches.
(© 2016 National Rural Health Association.)