Health care utilization and mental health diagnoses among veterans with tinnitus.
Carlson, K. F., Gilbert, T. A., O’neil, M. E., Zaugg, T. L., Manning, C. A., Kaelin, C., Thielman, E. J., Reavis, K. M., & Henry, J. A. (2019). Health care utilization and mental health diagnoses among veterans with tinnitus. American Journal of Audiology, 28(1S), 181-190. doi:10.1044/2018_aja-ttr17-18-0042
Main Question
Among Veterans who receive VA health care, do those diagnosed with tinnitus have higher rates of TBI, health care utilization, and mental health diagnoses?
Study Findings
Among 617,534 eligible Veterans, about 4 out of every 100 had a tinnitus diagnosis. Veterans with tinnitus were more likely to have hearing loss and a mild TBI diagnoses. Veterans with tinnitus had higher annual health care utilization than those without tinnutis.
Statistical modeling found that Veterans with tinnitus were more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders than those without tinnutis.
Practical Uses
Veterans diagnosed with tinnitus may be more likely to have sustained a TBI and/or have mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and substance use.
Clinicians treating individuals for tinnitus should use best practice standards, be alert for signs and symptoms of cognitive or mental health issues, and make appropriate healthcare service referrals as symptoms present.
In an effort to provide the latest findings to our consumers as quickly as possible, some of these studies, while fully peer reviewed, have not been presented or published either electronically or in print. Findings are presented for informational purposes only and should not be cited or referenced until they are formally published or presented.
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Checklist and data entry during visit for every participant visit to ensure completion of all tasks
Look through questionnaires before participant leaves
Score all assessments within 1-2 business days, if not on the same day as visit
Splitting up all duties equally between PLS site personnel
PLS Site Best Practices
Listed below are some practices suggested for site efficiency.
Dedicated day each week to compile data, pull reports, and address queries
Checklist and data entry during visit for every participant visit to ensure completion of all tasks
Look through questionnaires before participant leaves – participants may skip individual questions
Score all assessments within 1-2 business days, if not the same day
Splitting up duties equally between PLS site personnel
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The following MOPs and SOPs are used by site personnel: PLS visit operations, Remote Data Collection, Call Center operations, Audiology, Eye Tracking, Biospecimen, Neuro Imaging, FITBIR, REDCap surveys, and participant travel.
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Technical support/operational support
Prospective Longitudinal Study Site Resources
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