In early October, the VA announced that it would begin work
on closing the ‘gender gap’ in preventative health and screening services
offered by the VA. For years, female veterans have felt unwelcome in VA
hospitals and clinics as if they weren’t real veterans; finally, change is
coming.
Dr. Patricia Hayes, chief consultant for Women Health
Services for the Veterans Health Administration, stated that the VA plans to
hire more gynecologists and other female health specialists in order to make
female veterans feel more welcome at VA clinics and hospitals.
“We recognize that there has been a tremendous influx of
women. We have beefed up and accomplished a lot, and we recognize we are still
facing a large challenge ahead,” said Hayes, “They felt unwelcomed and
invisible. We are changing that culture.”
In 2008, only 33% of VA health care facilities offered care
to women, while today over 90% do. The VA has also extensively trained over
1,500 primary-care providers on comprehensive women’s health, a 40-hour program,
training 35-40 providers at a time. The training covers topics such as birth
control, and abnormal bleeding, but also addresses mental health issues such as
PTSD in women and an overview of maternity care.
Recent surveys show that the VA’s strategy is working; based
upon survey results from both males and females, veterans feel that VA health
care exceeds the care offered in the private sector.
Dr. Hayes feels confident, “Word is getting out among women
veterans that we have great care and more systems and services in place to make
them feel comfortable using the VA.”
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