Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

The Provision of Complementary and Integrative Health Services in VA: Results from the National VA Survey of Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches 2017-2018

Farmer Coste MM, Taylor SL, McGowan MG, Yuan A, Osawe U. The Provision of Complementary and Integrative Health Services in VA: Results from the National VA Survey of Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches 2017-2018. Washington, DC: VA Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation (OPCC&CT), Integrative Health Coordinating Center; 2020 Jun 4. 63 p.




Abstract:

The Complementary and Integrative Health Evaluation Center (CIHEC), a QUERI Partnered Evaluation Initiative, conducted a national organizational survey from August 2017-July 2018 to document aspects of CIH approaches across the VA at that time. CIHEC identified points of contacts via VA national calls, Whole Health Field Implementation Team (FIT) consultants, VISN leads, CIH and other listservs, and VA Pulse announcements, and used those to survey identified leaders who oversaw CIH approaches at their facilities. For 26 approaches, the point of contacts were asked about the organization of delivery including what departments offer and what types of providers offer CIH approaches. There were a total of 196 respondents representing 131 VAMCs (77% of all VAMCs) and 153 CBOCs. Thirty-seven percent of sites reported offering 1-2 approaches, 46% reported 3-10, and 17% reported offering 10 or more approaches at that time. Relaxation techniques, mindfulness, guided imagery, and yoga were the most frequently offered. Approaches were offered in a variety of departments; the departments that offered the most CIH approaches were Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMandR), Primary Care, Integrative Health/Well-Being/Whole Health, outpatient clinics, Mental Health, and pain clinics. The providers that were reported to be offering the largest number of types of CIH approaches were non-MD clinical staff, VA physicians/DOs, volunteers, and community providers. Overall, we found that the provision of CIH approaches were widespread across the VA, with a variety of departments and providers offering CIH approaches to Veterans





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.