Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Flor Culpa-Bondal
Second Advisor
Dr. Shante Henry
Third Advisor
Dr. Sheryl Winn
Abstract
Introduction: Military sexual trauma (MST) has become a significant issue within the military, reaching epidemic proportions. MST is defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs as experiencing sexual assault or sexual harassment during military service. The quality improvement (QI) project will address the following PICOT question: the population comprised of veterans who received their first encounter for treatment with the VA (P) provide educational intervention (I), compared with changing the training requirement to increase the number of screenings and referrals (O) over two months (T).
Purpose: This QI project, conducted at the Joseph M. Cleland Atlanta VA Medical Center, aims to identify barriers and system issues within the screening and referral process using a 10-item, 5-point Likert scale survey instrument, assess the numbers of veterans screened and referred with MST to the appropriate program, using a retrospective chart review, implement an education program that addresses MST plus barriers identified, and evaluate the efficacy of this educational intervention by the numbers of veterans screened and referred.
Findings/Results: Survey results revealed five major barriers to appropriate MST screening and referrals. These barriers include 1) competing priorities and responsibilities; 2) the lack of formal policy or information; 3) lack of or inadequate training on MST screening & referrals; 4) too many clinical reminders, and 5) resource constraints. The project showed a significant improvement in the number of veterans screened after the education intervention. The findings revealed that while the educational intervention improved MST screening the referral process remains the same pre-post education.
Conclusion: This quality improvement (QI) project assessed the number of veterans screened for MST and referred to the appropriate programs. Barriers affecting the screening and referral process were identified. The post-education intervention revealed an improvement in MST screening, however, referral rates remained unchanged. The recommendation is that healthcare professionals receive an additional MST course annually rather than offering the training once during initial orientation. This QI project highlights the significance of ongoing education and systemic changes to effectively address the MST screening and referral process within the VA Healthcare system.
Recommended Citation
Bellamy, Dene R. and Bellamy, Dene R., "Increase Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Screenings and Referrals at the Joseph Maxwell Cleland, Atlanta VA Medical Center" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects. 75.
https://kb.gcsu.edu/dnp/75