title: The continuous improvement for veterans in care: Mood Disorders (civic-md) Study, a VA-academic partnership.
abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides an ideal opportunity to conduct mental health services research among vulnerable populations, given its extensive data sources, disproportionate number of vulnerable patients (older, often with comorbidities), and quality improvement mission. Although VA facilities are often affiliated with universities, successful VA-academic research partnerships are sometimes elusive. The Continuous Improvement for Veterans in Care: Mood Disorders (CIVIC-MD) study was a partnership with a VA facility that had not been engaged in mood disorders research. This column describes how the partnership formed, key elements of its success, and challenges and opportunities to inform future research partnerships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs National Serious Mental Illness Treatment Research and Evaluation Center (VA SMITREC), Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. amykilbo@umich.edu
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kilbourne
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lasky
authors.forename: Harold Alan
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: C Bernie
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Good
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cooley
authors.forename: Anu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basavaraju
authors.forename: Devra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenwald
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bauer
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*