Barriers to VA/IHS Care
Numerous barriers have kept American Indian and Alaska Native veterans from seeking the VA or IHS medical care to which they are entitled. Sometimes hospitals and clinics have been too far away to reach. Sometimes veterans have lacked trust in the VA and IHS or have considered the quality of care to be poor. Both the VA and IHS health care systems are working to make medical care more accessible, more dependable, and of high quality. Professional staff and patient advocates are aware that every patient is entitled to respectful, quality care.
Other barriers to seeking quality medical care from the VA or the Indian Health Service are the following concerns about needing or benefiting from medical care, which are endorsed by many veterans and/or their families:
- Want to solve problem on my own
- Believe problem not serious enough
- Believe treatment won't help
- Worry about what others would think
PTSD contributes to negative attitudes toward health care. The desire to avoid trauma reminders may lead the veteran to avoid necessary health care. Hyper-vigilance and anger may lead to excessive distrust of and hostility toward healthcare providers. Social isolation and emotional numbing can prevent asking for help.
"I just didn't understand. I just had no patience. I would get angry. And all these things that I'm supposed to be getting treatment for are those things that are preventing me from getting that, because I didn't want to deal with the system."
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