Service Transformed: Lessons in U.S. Veteran Centered Care from Coursera

Improving health care for veterans has become a matter of national attention and has gained increasing attention from the medical community. With the current surge of veterans reintegrating into civilian society it is critical to improve the training of the next cadre of providers who will provide care for our veterans. It is widely known that veterans receive care in all aspects of the health system, thus providers in veteran focused care facilities, military health serves and civilian locals must be aware of the unique needs of veterans. It is perhaps even more important to educate civilian providers who may be unfamiliar with the unique physical, mental and emotional needs related to military service.

Course Audience

- all health professions learners, example:

- medical students, resident physicians, dental students,

- nursing students, advanced practice nurses,

- social work, pharmacy student as graduate level learners

- as well as any and all health professionals interested in veteran-centered care

What You Will Learn:

This course will provide learners the opportunity to engage with material to facilitate their understanding of the origins of Academic Medical Centers and Veterans Administration affiliations, recognize and manage the influence of bias, class, and power on the clinical encounter and self-reflect on their biases that particularly affect U.S. military veterans. This course also features several video clips from the acclaimed documentary, Where Soldiers Come From, directed by Heather Courtney.

The views expressed in this course are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or the policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. government.

What's inside

Syllabus

Unit 1

Unit 1 highlights the relationship between Academic Medical Centers and Veterans Health Administration and provides an overview of knowledge of the military and basic demographic of U.S. veterans.

Unit 2

Unit 2 provides clear instruction on conceptual differences between determinants of health and health disparities and health care disparities; illustrate individual-based and system-based sources of health disparities for veterans.

Unit 3

Unit 3 outlines the fundamental principles of patient-centeredness and cultural competence in health care, provide tools to develop self-awareness of individual assumptions, stereotypes and biases that influence the medical encounter and deliver activities that help learners acknowledge the importance of patients’ values, culture, and beliefs in improving health care.

Unit 4

Unit 4 illustrates the role of empathy in health care delivery, using key experiences, concerns and perspectives of U.S. military veterans as a clinical context. This unit also describes the relationship between medical history taking and health care delivery as well as develops knowledge in areas related to military and veteran centered care.

Unit 5

Unit 5 allows learners to use everything they have learned and apply those principles to improving assessment and triage skills for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and identifying anxiety and depression.

Unit 6

Unit 6 highlights the importance of partnership and collaboration across professional disciplines to enhance veteran centered to achieve optimal health.

Unit 7

Unit 7 highlights the importance of partnership and collaboration across professional disciplines to enhance veteran centered care.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Geared towards educating health professionals and students who are interested in veteran-centered care

Introduces learners to the origins of Academic Medical Centers and Veterans Health Administration affiliations

Provides a clear understanding of the differences between determinants of health and health disparities and health care disparities

Outlines the fundamental principles of patient-centeredness and cultural competence in health care

Highlights the importance of partnership and collaboration across professional disciplines to enhance veteran-centered care

Taught by recognized experts in the field, Monica Lypson, M.D., M.H.P.E., and Paula Ross, Ph.D

Reviews summary

Veteran-centered care

According to students, Service Transformed: Lessons in U.S. Veteran Centered Care is a positive course for those seeking to work with veterans or to pursue a career in the medical stream in the U.S. Armed Forces. It provides an excellent overview of how to navigate the V.A., especially for veterans themselves. However, some do not find it worthwhile if they already work with veterans or are veterans themselves. Reviews indicate that the course may contain some biases that should be updated for better accuracy.

Some students offer positive feedback.

""Excellent overview.""

""This is a wonderful course.""

"It provides a positive overview of the V.A."

Some students find the course lacking

""Not worth the money for veterans.""

""The information needs to be updated.""

""The course has biases.""

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Service Transformed: Lessons in U.S. Veteran Centered Care with these activities:

Review basic anatomy and physiology

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Reviewing these fundamentals can help you better understand the complex material in this course

Browse courses on Human Anatomy

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Review your old notes on anatomy and physiology
Practice taking medical histories and performing physical exams
Consult with a doctor or nurse to clarify any uncertainties

Attend weekly lectures on military medicine and veteran health

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These lectures provide insight from leading experts in the field and expose you to the latest clinical research

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Read the assigned materials before each lecture
Take detailed notes during the lectures
Review the notes and textbooks after each lecture

Lead a study group for fellow medical students

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Mentoring others consolidates your own understanding while contributing to their success

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Review study materials and prepare discussion topics
Facilitate discussions and answer questions from study group members
Provide constructive feedback and support to fellow students

Five other activities

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Practice taking patient histories and physical exams

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These exercises will equip you with practical skills in gathering and interpreting medical information

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Conduct mock patient interviews and physical exams
Attend clinical rotations to gain hands-on experience

Volunteer at a VA hospital or community health clinic

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Experiential learning in a clinical setting allows you to witness firsthand the unique challenges faced by veterans

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Contact local va hospitals or community health clinics to inquire about volunteering opportunities
Assist with tasks such as patient care, administrative support, or research
Observe interactions between health care providers and veteran patients

Compile a list of resources for veterans' health

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This project will provide you with a valuable resource for your future clinical practice

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Research veterans' health organizations, support groups, and government programs
Create a comprehensive list of resources that covers a range of topics such as health care, mental health, and financial assistance

Prepare a patient care plan for a veteran with a chronic condition

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This project allows you to synthesize course concepts and develop a comprehensive treatment plan

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Identify a veteran patient with a chronic condition
Take the patient's medical history and perform a physical exam
Develop a comprehensive care plan that includes diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up

Contribute to open-source projects related to veteran care

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Participating in open-source projects can help improve your problem-solving and collaboration skills

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Identify open-source projects related to veteran care
Choose a project and join the community forum
Contribute to the project by writing code, testing, or providing documentation

Career center

Learners who complete Service Transformed: Lessons in U.S. Veteran Centered Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people regain or improve their ability to move and function after an injury or illness. For veterans, they may help them regain physical function that they lost due to a physical or mental health condition related to their military service. This course can help Physical Therapists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physical Therapist

Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people regain or improve their ability to do everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, or working. For veterans, they may help them regain skills that they lost due to a physical or mental health condition related to their military service. This course can help Occupational Therapists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants help patients by managing their illnesses and overall health. For veterans, they may provide care for physical or mental health conditions related to their military service. This course can help Physician Assistants understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people cope with difficult life circumstances, such as illness, disability, or poverty. For veterans, they may provide support for mental health conditions, family problems, or financial difficulties related to their military service. This course can help Social Workers understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Psychologist

Psychologists help people with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. For veterans, they may provide counseling for mental health conditions related to their military service. This course can help Psychologists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Registered Nurse

Registered Nurses provide direct patient care, including assessing patients' needs, developing and implementing care plans, and administering medications. For veterans, they may provide care for physical or mental health conditions related to their military service. This course can help Registered Nurses understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists help people with speech, language, and swallowing disorders. For veterans, they may help them with communication problems related to a physical or mental health condition related to their military service. This course can help Speech-Language Pathologists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Counselor

Counselors help people with mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma. For veterans, they may provide counseling for mental health conditions related to their military service. This course can help Counselors understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Audiologist

Audiologists help people with hearing and balance disorders. For veterans, they may help them with hearing loss or tinnitus related to their military service. This course can help Audiologists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitians help people improve their health by providing nutrition counseling and education. For veterans, they may help them manage their weight or eat healthier to improve their overall health. This course can help Registered Dietitians understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medication and provide information about medication use to patients. For veterans, they may help them manage their medications for physical or mental health conditions related to their military service. This course can help Pharmacists understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Public Health Educator

Public Health Educators develop and implement programs to promote health and prevent disease. For veterans, they may work on programs that promote the health of veterans. This course can help Public Health Educators understand the unique needs of veterans and how to develop programs that meet those needs. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts analyze and develop policies that affect the healthcare system. For veterans, they may work on policies that affect the care of veterans. This course can help Health Policy Analysts understand the unique needs of veterans and how to develop policies that meet those needs. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators oversee the operations of healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and clinics. For veterans, they may work in facilities that provide care for veterans. This course can help Healthcare Administrators understand the unique needs of veterans and how to provide culturally competent care. It also covers topics such as patient-centeredness, empathy, and collaboration across professional disciplines, which are all essential for providing high-quality care to veterans.

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Medical Researcher

Medical Researchers conduct research to improve the understanding of diseases and develop new treatments. For veterans, they may work on research related to the health of veterans. This course may be useful for Medical Researchers who want to learn more about the unique needs of veterans and how to conduct research that is relevant to their care.

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