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VIReC Using Data and Information Systems in Partnered Research

An Evaluation of Firearm Injuries among Rural versus Urban Veterans: Data Validity and Early Findings


by Kathleen Carlson, PhD ; Travis Lovejoy, PhD
Seminar date: 6/15/2021

Description: This presentation will describe a partnership between the Office of Rural Health-funded Veterans Rural Health Resource Center - Portland and Health Services Research Investigators at the Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care to examine the range of firearm injuries treated among rural versus urban Veteran VA users across the US. We will describe the impetus for the partnership and evaluation along with early findings of the research. Early findings will cover preliminary data on the epidemiology of firearm injuries among rural versus urban Veterans, a description of the circumstances around Veterans' injuries, and results of a sub-study examining the validity of approaches that rely on administrative data to enumerate firearm injuries. Finally, we will describe plans for translation of these findings into next-steps to help reduce the risk and impact of firearm-related injuries among rural Veterans across the US.

Objectives:
After this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe rates of firearm injuries treated among rural versus urban Veterans who use VA healthcare.
2. Understand the range and common circumstances of firearm injuries treated among Veteran VA users.
3. Evaluate potential data validity issues when using VA healthcare records to identify Veterans' firearm injuries.

View archived session video:



DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript


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