Challenge
Rural health care providers often face challenges in accessing information and training regarding care techniques and best practices. With the explosive growth of women entering the military and subsequently completing their service, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is putting extra emphasis on promoting the health and welfare of female Veterans by developing training programs and materials to educate rural providers within and outside of VA about their unique health issues, including military sexual trauma possibly resulting in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse, and a greater number of reproductive health issues.
Solution
To address those challenges, Atlas Research worked with the VA Capitol Health Care Network to develop a mobile mini-residency training program that takes the training on the road directly to the providers in rural communities. The mobile training sessions are taught by instructors at rural Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Result
Through didactic and care-based instruction and training, the program enhances providers’ knowledge and skills in caring specifically for women Veterans. More than 50 health care providers have received the training so far, and 100 percent of participants would recommend the training to their colleagues.