Considering the Issue of Dual Use in Veterans Affairs Patients: Implications & Opportunities for Improved Communication & Counseling

Abstract

This study sought to ascertain perceptions of communication responsibility in veterans identified as using more than one health care system, otherwise known as dual users. Three hundred and fifteen veterans identified as dual users completed a telephone-based survey including questions about their perspectives regarding communication in the context of dual use. Nearly half (47.3%) indicated that that they believed it was primarily their responsibility to either directly communicate or facilitate communication between their Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA providers. Only 11.3% reported that it should be the responsibility of their VA provider, 19.6% believed that their non-VA provider should be responsible, and 7.3% believed both should be involved. Finally, 14.4% believed another person was responsible, such as a system administrator or patient representative. Of those patients indicating that it was their responsibility, a majority (61.7%) indicated that they preferred active involvement in their health care. Patient-centered care allows patients the opportunity to help facilitate communication between multiple health care systems, such as when using VA and non-VA providers, if they so choose. However, given that patient preferences for involvement vary considerably, it is likely that a multifaceted approach to this problem is necessary, involving patients, providers, and other system-level stakeholders. These data suggest a need to inquire about preferred patient roles and counsel patients regarding methods of communication that may serve to decrease fragmentation of care.