NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 6026 Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2

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Letter to the Editor 

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Dear Editor, 

This letter emphasizes the necessity for improved care for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by promoting evidence-based treatments, expanding telehealth services, and reinforcing community-based support networks. Currently, the data indicates higher rates of PTSD among the veteran population. In 2024, an estimated 14% of male and 24% of female veterans were diagnosed with PTSD (National Center for PTSD, 2025). Presently, the quality of PTSD care for veterans is inadequate due to barriers such as limited access, long wait times, stigma, and fragmented services (Ein et al., 2024).

Mainly, rural veterans face disparities due to accessibility issues. Moreover, community resources remain underutilized, which limits holistic recovery. Existing knowledge gaps include telehealth’s long-term effectiveness, peer support programs’ impact, and strategies to mitigate stigma. Tackling these gaps will improve treatment effectiveness, accessibility, and overall outcomes for veterans who are suffering from PTSD. 

The current quality of mental health care for veterans remains inadequate, necessitating policy development and advocacy. Many veterans suffer from PTSD, which impairs their well-being, functionality, and quality of life. Isolation and intrusive memories are symptoms that interfere with relationships and day-to-day functioning. High rates of depression, substance addiction, and suicide result from stigma and structural hurdles that keep many people from seeking therapy, even in the face of available options (Chambliss et al., 2024).

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

Improving treatment outcomes and access requires addressing these obstacles through lobbying and comprehensive policy. Disparities between ethnic and gender groups, the influence of stigma on seeking care, and the efficacy of alternative therapies are all unknown. More information on these variables could inform stronger regulations to enhance access, boost financing, and broaden evidence-based therapies. 

The main goals of the Veteran PTSD Care Enhancement Policy are expanding telemedicine services, bolstering community-based support networks, and utilising evidence-based treatments (Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy). This strategy plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of care and its results by guaranteeing prompt access to treatment, lowering stigma, and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration. Veterans receive all-encompassing, ongoing care by combining these components, which improves symptom management and general well-being. ]

According to critics, some veterans prefer in-person care and raise issues with data security and technological hurdles for senior citizens (Wilson et al., 2021). Peer support initiatives leading to healthcare providers’ workloads is another example of an opposite viewpoint. By addressing these issues with enough funding and interdisciplinary cooperation, care accessibility and efficiency will be improved. By putting this policy into practice, PTSD care gaps will be filled, improving outcomes and lowering health disparities among veterans in the long run.

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

To ensure thorough PTSD management, the Veteran PTSD Care Enhancement Policy must be extended to other care settings, including emergency rooms, community health centres, and primary care clinics. Integrating mental health screenings into routine care, training primary care providers in trauma-informed approaches, and offering telehealth services in diverse settings can improve access and early intervention (Isaacs & Mitchell, 2024). These measures will enhance care coordination and reduce the burden on specialized mental health facilities.

However, challenges to policy development include limited funding, provider shortages, and resistance to change. Many primary care providers lack mental health training, making implementation difficult without proper education and resources. Additionally, securing financial support for expanding telehealth and community programs requires advocacy and policy reform (Ein et al., 2024). Overcoming these obstacles through interprofessional collaboration, government support, and continuous evaluation will strengthen PTSD care across various settings, ensuring veterans receive timely and effective treatment regardless of where they seek care.

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

The Veteran PTSD Care Enhancement Policy relies on an interprofessional approach to ensure efficient and effective implementation. Collaboration among psychiatrists, primary care physicians, nurses, social workers, and telehealth specialists enhances care coordination, ensuring veterans receive comprehensive, timely, and personalized treatment. This approach addresses both clinical and social determinants of health. As an illustration of successful team-based treatment, the VA’s Patient-Aligned Care Team (PACT) model will increase efficiency by enhancing communication and reducing fragmented care (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, n.d.).

However, there is also uncertainty around integrating community-based assistance with clinical care, workforce capacity, and reimbursement regulations for telehealth services. Measuring long-term results, such as increases in quality of life and a decrease in PTSD symptoms, is similarly uncertain. More study and policy improvement are required to create uniform criteria, financing sources, and assessment measures.

As a result, initiatives like the Veteran PTSD Care Enhancement Policy must lower obstacles, increase access, and improve support to provide veterans with high-quality mental health care. We urge policymakers and healthcare leaders to prioritize this approach, ensuring comprehensive, equitable mental health care for all veterans.

References

Chambliss, T., Hsu, J.-L., & Chen, M.-L. (2024). Post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans: A concept analysis. Behavioral Sciences, 14(6), 485–485. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14060485 

Ein, N., Gervasio, J., St Cyr, K., Liu, J. J. W., Baker, C., Nazarov, A., & Richardson, J. D. (2024). A rapid review of the barriers and facilitators of mental health service access among Veterans and their families. Frontiers in Health Services, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2024.1426202

Isaacs, A. N., & Mitchell, E. (2024). Mental health integrated care models in primary care and factors that contribute to their effective implementation: A scoping review. International Journal of Mental Health Systems, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-024-00625-x 

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

National Center for PTSD. (2025, January 10). How common is PTSD in veterans? Ptsd.va.gov. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_veterans.asp

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (n.d.). Patient care services. Patientcare.va.gov. https://www.patientcare.va.gov/primarycare/PACT.asp 

Wilson, J., Heinsch, M., Betts, D., Booth, D., & Kay-Lambkin, F. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to the use of e-health by older adults: A scoping review. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11623-w 

Guidelines for Letters to the Editor: Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry

1. Word Limit: Maximum of 750 words (text only). 
2. References: six references
3. Authors: No more than three authors per letter.  

• Full name of each author
• Academic degrees
• Single institutional affiliation per author
• Email address for the corresponding author

1. Only concise data summaries will be accepted as supporting material.
2. Originality: The paper must not duplicate other published or submitted material and should not include unpublished data.