Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for Veterans With Spinal Cord Injury: Proposal for a Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Telemedicine
• Veteran Health

Background:

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts veterans' quality of life, necessitating innovative care management.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) serves approximately 450 newly injured veterans annually.
• Virtual health services and patient-centered interventions like the 'Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans' aim to improve access and care effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perspectives and experiences of SCI veterans, their caregivers, and VA healthcare teams regarding the 'Triangle of Healthy Caregiving for SCI Veterans' intervention.
• To determine the benefits, challenges, and outcomes associated with this patient-centered, technology-enabled care model.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach involving in-depth interviews with telehealth coordinators.
• Structured observation of the clinical video teleconferencing (CVT) enrollment and home installation process.
• Semistructured interviews and focus groups with participants to assess program utility, effectiveness, and impact on health outcomes and caregiver burden.

Main Results:

• The project was funded in July 2017 and received IRB approval in March 2018.
• Phases I and III are complete, with 52 subjects recruited for Phase II as of September 2019.
• Data analysis is underway, with study completion projected for late summer 2020 and results expected in fall 2020.

Conclusions:

• Findings will illuminate how virtual health technologies enhance access to specialized SCI care for veterans.
• The study will estimate the potential impact of this intervention on clinical outcomes for both veterans with SCI and their caregivers.