We Also Served: The Health and Well-Being of Female Veterans in the UK
Abstract: Women’s integration into the UK Armed Forces has resulted from a number of policy changes over the decades. Women now make up 11% of the UK Armed Forces and veteran population. However, research focused on female veterans in the UK is limited and not enough is known about their health, well-being, and Service experiences. In recognition of this, in June 2020, the Cobseo Female Veteran Cluster Group, supported by NHS England and NHS Improvement,commissioned the VFI to undertake a scoping study into the health and well-being needs of female veterans in the UK, identify gaps in research utilising national and international research and to provide a framework for prioritising research and other activities in the UK going forward. This report details the findings.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are an ongoing public health crisis in the United States. A large body of research indicates an urgent need for increased training in SUD research and treatment for trainees in mental health service disciplines. The VA Health Care System is well positioned, as the largest trainer and employer of health service psychologists and other mental health professionals, to address the SUD training gap and serve as a leader in training the upcoming health care workforce. METHOD: To this end, we conducted two pilot studies to (1) examine the feasibility of implementing supplemental SUD training for VA health service trainees, among current VA mental health service providers in psychology, social work, and medical care (N = 37) and (2) the efficacy of a single 2-hour interdisciplinary SUD training seminar for VA health service trainees in mental health (N = 13). The training seminar consisted of several components including lecture, facilitated discussion, and role play, aimed at increasing trainee self-efficacy in assessing and diagnosing SUDs. RESULTS: Findings suggest that current providers are supportive of supplemental SUD training for VA trainees and believe that such training is beneficial for those wishing to pursue a career within the VA Health Care System. Additionally, results suggest that a single session didactic seminar improved trainees' self-reported efficacy in the assessment and referral of veterans diagnosed with SUDs. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the above studies support additional feasibility investigations that would pave the way for successful implementation of widespread SUD training programs across the VA Health Care System and beyond. Successful implementation would then serve to reduce the increasingly critical SUD provider shortage, thus leading to significant public health gains.