International Journal of COPD (Jun 2022)

Improving Physiological, Physical, and Psychological Health Outcomes: A Narrative Review in US Veterans with COPD

  • Bamonti PM,
  • Robinson SA,
  • Wan ES,
  • Moy ML

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 17
pp. 1269 – 1283

Abstract

Read online

Patricia M Bamonti,1,2 Stephanie A Robinson,3,4 Emily S Wan,1,5– 7 Marilyn L Moy1,5,7 1Research & Development, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; 2Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; 3Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA; 4The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; 5Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Section, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA; 6Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; 7Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USACorrespondence: Marilyn L Moy, Research & Development, VA Boston Healthcare System, 1400 VFW Parkway, Mail Code 111P, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, USA, Email [email protected]: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States (US) providing healthcare to an increasing number of middle-aged and older adults who remain at greater risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) compared to their civilian counterparts. The VHA has obligated research funds, drafted clinical guidelines, and built programmatic infrastructure to support the diagnosis, treatment, and care management of Veterans with COPD. Despite these efforts, COPD remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Veterans. This paper provides a narrative review of research conducted with US Veteran samples targeting improvement in COPD outcomes. We review key physiological, physical, and psychological health outcomes and intervention research that included US Veteran samples. We conclude with a discussion of directions for future research to continue advancing the treatment of COPD in Veterans and inform advancements in COPD research within and outside the VHA.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, U.S. Veterans, interventions

Keywords