Evaluation of a Military Informed Care Training with Private Sector Healthcare Providers

Abstract

Military cultural competence that supports military-informed care (MIC) of veterans and service members is a necessity for healthcare systems to effectively care for 22 million veterans who receive healthcare outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This study evaluated a 2-hour military informed care training with 77 healthcare providers that was developed based on input from veteran patients. Changes in knowledge, attitudes and skills were assessed with the Assessment of Military Cultural Competence (AMCC). Trainees showed improvements in knowledge (t(73) =17.19, p < .000), attitudes and skills. Respondents’ attitudes improved regarding whether the respondent’s cultural background influences their delivery of care, t(75) = −3.24, p = .002, whether a patient’s military or cultural background can impact their perception of care, F(1, 147) = 5.26, p =.023, whether the respondent’s cultural beliefs can be at odds with other cultures or the military, F(1, 148) = 11.66, p =.001, and whether the military is a culture, t (76) = −3.70, p<.000. Trainees’ skills improved in two of four areas, including looking up unfamiliar cultural phrases or military terms F(1, 150) = 4.13, p = .044, and screening for diseases/disorders based on prevalence within a culture or within the military, F(1, 150)=18.22, p < .001.