Equity in veterans' mental health care: Veterans Affairs medical center clinics versus community-based outpatient clinics.

This study examined differences in structures and processes of mental health care at Veterans Administration (VA) primary care clinics, comparing VA medical center (VAMC) clinics to community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). A survey was conducted of nurse managers at 46 of 49 primary care clinics (23 VAMC clinics and 23 CBOCs) within a VA health care network in the south central United States. Integration of care and services overall was comparable between VAMC clinics and CBOCs. The service mix differed. Integrated CBOCs more often offered group therapy, medication management, and smoking cessation. Integrated VAMC clinics more frequently used written suicide protocols and depression screening. Distance to offsite specialty care and wait times for referrals were shorter for patients at VAMCs than at CBOCs. The provision of mental health care at CBOCs is comparable to that at VAMC clinics, although differences in patient access to offsite care indicate that full equity was not achieved at the time of the survey. Since 2000, the VA has initiated several programs to address this need.

Kirchner JE ，Owen RR ，Dockter N ，Kramer TL ，Henderson K ，Armitage T ，Allee E ... -  《AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL QUALITY》

Utilization and expenditures of veterans obtaining primary care in community clinics and VA medical centers: an observational cohort study.

Maciejewski ML ，Perkins M ，Li YF ，Chapko M ，Fortney JC ，Liu CF ... -  《BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH》

Primary care satellite clinics and improved access to general and mental health services.

Rosenheck R 《HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH》

Utilization of VA and Medicare services by Medicare-eligible veterans: the impact of additional access points in a rural setting.

Weeks WB ，Mahar PJ ，Wright SM 《JOURNAL OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT》

The impact of contract primary care on health care expenditures and quality of care.

Liu CF ，Chapko MK ，Perkins MW ，Fortney J ，Maciejewski ML ... -  《MEDICAL CARE RESEARCH AND REVIEW》