US Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care System as a Resource to Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists have utilized several health care systems with large numbers of enrollees and centralized databases to achieve their research aims. Although containing many of the features that have made certain health care systems valuable to the conduct of epidemiologic research, the US Department...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of epidemiology 2000-02, Vol.151 (3), p.307-314
Main Authors: Boyko, Edward J., Koepsell, Thomas D., Gaziano, J. Michael, Horner, Ronnie D., Feussner, John R.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Epidemiologic Methods
Epidemiology
Epidemiology - education
General aspects
Humans
Medical sciences
Methodology
Population Surveillance
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
United States
United States Department of Veterans Affairs - statistics & numerical data
Veterans
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Summary:Epidemiologists have utilized several health care systems with large numbers of enrollees and centralized databases to achieve their research aims. Although containing many of the features that have made certain health care systems valuable to the conduct of epidemiologic research, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care system has not been well utilized by epidemiologists. This article will describe existing and planned features of this health care system that should be of interest to epidemiologists, including centralized databases that capture hospital discharge and outpatient clinic diagnostic data, a planned enrollment file that would contain all persons eligible for VA medical care, and the size and national dispersion of VA medical care facilities. Also, VA leadership has demonstrated an interest in the promotion of epidemiologic research by initiating several new programs, including the creation of three Epidemiologic Research and Information Centers (ERICs) to foster VA epidemiologic research, and announcing a program to support investigator-initiated epidemiologic research projects with VA funding. Epidemiologists with interests in medical problems that afflict veterans should consider partnerships with VA investigators to achieve their research aims. Am J Epidemiol 2000; 151: 307–14.
ISSN:0002-9262
1476-6256
DOI:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a010207