Patient Activation and Mental Health Care Experiences Among Women Veterans.
We utilized a nationally representative survey of women veteran primary care users to examine associations between patient activation and mental health care experiences. A dose-response relationship was observed, with odds of high quality ratings significantly greater at each successive level of patient activation. Higher activation levels were also significantly associated with preference concordant care for gender-related preferences (use of female providers, women-only settings, and women-only groups as often as desired). Results add to the growing literature documenting better health care experiences among more activated patients, and suggest that patient activation may play an important role in promoting engagement with mental health care.
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, PTSD-324, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA. rachel.kimerling@va.gov.|Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (152 MPD), Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA. rachel.kimerling@va.gov.
Rachel
0000-0003-0996-4212
R
Kimerling
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road, PTSD-324, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
Joanne
J
Pavao
Center for Innovation to Implementation, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, 795 Willow Road (152 MPD), Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
Ava
A
Wong
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans; D014930:Women; D055815:Young Adult
Mental health; Patient activation; Women