Veteran Engagement Group
Denver Veteran Engagement Group
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Collaborating to Improve VA Research: The Veteran Research Engagement Board (VREB)
Veteran voices make VA research better. At the Denver VA, Veterans provide invaluable feedback to investigators from two research centers: the Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care (SD COIN) and the Rocky Mountain MIRECC (RMIRECC) for Suicide Prevention. These Veteran perspectives lead to key adjustments that improve research design and implementation.
We work in partnership with COIN and MIRECC researchers to provide individual recommendations, from topic generation to implementation and dissemination of study results. We aim to promote:
- Community engagement
- Patient-focused research
- Translation of VHA research findings into practice and community settings
This input enhances each Center’s mission:
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Center of Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value Driven Care (SD COIN) Mission: Conduct high quality health systems research that promotes Veteran-centered and value-driven care, generate and disseminate knowledge that contributes to the well-being of Veterans, work collaboratively with VA policy and operational leaders to implement research findings into clinical care, and train the next generation of health systems researchers and leaders.
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Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Centers (RMIRECC) Mission: From the lab to the bedside to everyday care: RMIRECC studies the causes of suicide, possible interventions and prevention strategies, and effective means to get promising practices into VHA and community care.
Offering Unique Veteran Perspectives
Research becomes more effective when it incorporates the views and needs of its target population. VREB members bring their unique:
- Military background
- Health conditions
- Health consumer perspectives
The board recruits members from every era and from diverse backgrounds. New members receive a two-hour orientation on Veteran Engagement and Research Methods. The board meets monthly with a COIN or MIRECC investigator and are compensated for their time and contribution.
Prioritizing Diversity
VREB members believe that their role is enriched through diversity that spans multiple dimensions:
- Different abilities
- Race, ethnicity & national origins
- Gender identity & expression
- Sexuality
- Class
- Religion
The board is especially committed to increasing the representation of these populations and encourages interested Veterans to apply to become board members.
Impacting Research
Members serve VA research and ultimately other Veterans via agreed upon roles and responsibilities:
- Engage in collaborative discussion to aid VA researchers and the VA research mission
- Share unique perspectives, experiences, and suggestions on VA grant and research ideas in constructive ways
- Provide guidance on the dissemination of research and best practice by:
- Identifying strategies to improve the spread and utilization of information.
- Evaluating products and informational materials to ensure they are relevant and useful to consumers.
- Commit to attending monthly two-hour meetings and engaging electronically outside of meetings when necessary
What VREB members have to say
"Researchers hear about the Veteran experience directly during meetings. This gives Veterans a voice."
"The board makes the Veteran front and center for researchers."
"If it benefits researchers at the VA, [it] will indirectly benefit Veterans. Improving studies and thus medical care will improve Veteran health."
"It’s changed my opinion of what goes on behind the scenes at the VA."
Denver Veteran Engagement Group Members
What researchers have to say
"Helped me gain insight into Veteran perspective on awareness and accessibility of research. Also saw Veteran perceptions of the VA and in particular how Veterans see the VA in terms of mental health/illness."
"…creating a more collaborative approach to research that can help make research more accessible and meaningful to those involved."
"They brought up some important points that had been missed initially."
"Also, it is helpful to hear opinions of the Veterans acting as a counterbalance to the more institutional concerns brought up by grant reviewers…"
Researchers after coming to Denver VREB
