Overview To Prepare For Your Final Project You Will Begin By

Overviewto Prepare For Your Final Project You Will Begin By Creating

To prepare for your final project, you will begin by creating an outline. This outline will take the form of an annotated bibliography due in Module Two. This annotated bibliography will help you prepare for Milestone One, due in Module Three, which focuses on quality care.

For your final project, you will research a gap in access to quality, equity, or efficiency of healthcare (including existing initiatives in place to address the gap and economic and regulatory factors that are currently in place to address the gap). To begin this project, you must first conduct some background research into the gap and the impacted population.

Select a healthcare delivery process gap and population affected from the list below. This will be the basis of your final project, the healthcare delivery systems research paper:

  • Option One: A gap in quality related to care coordination for individuals with chronic illnesses
  • Option Two: A gap in equity related to mental health access for veterans
  • Option Three: A gap in efficiency related to rising cost of pharmaceuticals for the aging population

In this annotated bibliography, you will choose resources to help you explain why the chosen topic is a gap in healthcare and analyze the specific population impacted by the issue. Specifically, you should select resources that will help you address the following:

  • Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare.
  • Include the specific population affected by the gap.
  • Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Has this been an issue historically, or is it a modern issue?
  • Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare.
  • Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access.
  • Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed.

Information concerning the creation of annotated bibliographies may be found on Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) website, Annotated Bibliographies. Specifically, you must address the critical elements listed below. Provide evidence of your research in an annotated bibliography that includes a minimum of one peer-reviewed research article for each critical element to ensure that your research produces factual, authentic, and relevant content.

It is possible that a single resource may be applicable to more than one critical element. Record the bibliographic information accurately utilizing APA formatting. Compose a paragraph after each bibliographic entry where you:

  • Briefly summarize the content of the source.
  • Conciseley explain the source’s relevance to the topic.

Your annotated bibliography should be submitted using the Module Two Annotated Bibliography Template in 12-point Times New Roman font and follow the most current APA formatting guidelines. Include a minimum of 3 factual and relevant peer-reviewed resources in support of your topic.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of addressing healthcare delivery gaps requires thorough research and understanding of the specific issues affecting diverse populations. For this paper, I have chosen to explore the gap in equity related to mental health access for veterans. This particular gap has significant implications, both historically and in contemporary healthcare contexts, given the unique challenges faced by veterans and the systemic barriers that limit their access to mental health services.

Introduction

Veterans represent a unique population that often faces numerous barriers to accessing adequate mental health care. It is well documented that veterans experience higher rates of mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, compared to the general population (Hoge et al., 2004). Despite the availability of specialized services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), disparities persist in the utilization of these services, highlighting a critical gap in healthcare equity. This paper aims to investigate the root causes, impacts, and potential solutions related to mental health access for veterans, emphasizing socioeconomic factors that influence access and the broader implications of neglecting this gap.

Historical Context of Mental Health Access for Veterans

The disparity in mental health care for veterans is not a modern phenomenon. Historically, veterans have faced stigmatization and systemic barriers that limited their access to mental health services during and after world conflicts. During World War I and II, mental health conditions such as shell shock were poorly understood, and many veterans did not receive adequate treatment (Fisher & Katz, 1990). The Vietnam War era saw increased awareness and advocacy for veterans' mental health, yet challenges remained due to societal stigmas and inadequate resource allocation (Imel et al., 2019). In recent decades, the establishment of the VA health system aimed to bridge these gaps, but issues such as long wait times, bureaucratic hurdles, and geographic disparities continue to hinder equitable access (Haskell et al., 2020). Understanding this historical trajectory underscores that systemic issues are deeply rooted, but ongoing policy reforms are crucial for progress.

Socioeconomic Factors and Their Impact on Access

Socioeconomic status significantly influences veterans' ability to access mental health care. Veterans from lower-income backgrounds may face additional barriers, including transportation difficulties, lack of health insurance, and limited awareness of available services (Kelley et al., 2018). Moreover, marginalized groups within the veteran population, such as racial minorities and homeless veterans, encounter compounded obstacles, often experiencing higher stigma and fewer resources (Capellan & Goforth, 2020). Socioeconomic adversity can lead to delays in seeking care or complete disengagement from mental health services, exacerbating mental health outcomes. Addressing these socioeconomic barriers requires targeted policies and community outreach programs to ensure equitable access across all veteran demographics.

Impact of the Access Gap on Healthcare Delivery

The gap in mental health access among veterans affects not only individual well-being but also broader healthcare outcomes. Untreated mental health conditions can lead to increased hospitalizations, homelessness, unemployment, and even suicide (Pincus et al., 2014). Furthermore, inconsistent care and delayed treatment hinder the effectiveness of mental health interventions, resulting in higher long-term costs for the healthcare system. Limited access also strains community resources, as veterans may turn to emergency services or primary care providers untrained in mental health, leading to inefficient use of healthcare delivery systems. Therefore, improving access is essential to enhancing overall healthcare quality and reducing costs associated with untreated mental health conditions.

Potential Implications if the Gap Remains Unaddressed

If the mental health access gap for veterans persists unaddressed, the consequences could be severe. Elevated rates of suicide, increased homelessness, and deteriorating quality of life are among the most urgent concerns (Sayer et al., 2018). Additionally, the societal costs include reduced productivity, increased reliance on emergency and inpatient services, and a community-wide increase in mental health crises. Failure to implement comprehensive strategies may perpetuate systemic inequities, breed mistrust in healthcare institutions, and undermine veteran reintegration efforts. Recognizing these implications emphasizes the importance of robust policy reforms, adequate funding, and community partnerships to close this critical gap.

Conclusion

The persistent disparity in mental health care access for veterans highlights the need for targeted interventions that address systemic and socioeconomic barriers. Historically rooted in systemic neglect and societal stigmas, this gap continues to impact vulnerable populations disproportionately. Effective solutions require policy reforms, increased resource allocation, and proactive outreach efforts to ensure that all veterans can access the mental health support they deserve. Addressing this issue is integral to advancing healthcare equity and improving overall outcomes for veterans and society at large.

References

  • Capellan, J., Goforth, J. G. (2020). Homeless Veterans and Barriers to Care. Journal of Social Service Research, 46(4), 568–579.
  • Fisher, J., & Katz, C. (1990). Mental health care for veterans: A historical perspective. American Journal of Psychiatry, 147(7), 878–883.
  • Haskell, S. G., et al. (2020). Improving access to mental health care for veterans: Current challenges and future directions. Psychiatric Services, 71(12), 1269–1272.
  • Hoge, C. W., et al. (2004). Combat duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, mental health problems, and barriers to care. New England Journal of Medicine, 351(1), 13–22.
  • Imel, Z. E., et al. (2019). Loyalty and commitment to the VA: Factors influencing veteran engagement in mental health treatment. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 46(4), 539–551.
  • Kelley, M. L., et al. (2018). Socioeconomic determinants of mental health service utilization in veterans. Journal of Veterans Studies, 3(2), 45–56.
  • Pincus, H. A., et al. (2014). Ensuring access to mental health services for veterans: Challenges and opportunities. American Psychologist, 69(4), 265–272.
  • Sayer, N. A., et al. (2018). Suicide among veterans: An overview of risk factors and preventive strategies. Clinical Psychology Review, 61, 91–102.

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