Durham Cooperative Studies Program Epidemiology Center, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Durham Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care, Durham VA Health Care System, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America.
Life Sci. 2021 Dec 15;287:120113. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120113. Epub 2021 Oct 30.
Many veterans of the 1990-1991 Gulf War Era (GWE) have experienced poorly understood health issues. In response to challenges recruiting this population for research, we conducted focus groups and semi-structured phone interviews with GWE veterans and subject matter experts (SMEs) to explore GWE veterans' perceptions about research.
Transcribed discussions were content-analyzed. Participants discussed research-related motivators and barriers identified among other populations, and nuances that may be specific to GWE veterans.
Examples of motivating factors included: seeking answers about causes of and treatment for health issues; helping oneself; and helping other veterans. Examples of barriers included: distrust and dissatisfaction with federal entities; lack of research follow-through; and concerns about privacy and confidentiality.
Researchers can use this information to better address GWE veterans' concerns and motivate them to participate in research. Inclusion of GWE veterans in research will allow researchers and clinicians to better understand and address health issues affecting this population.
许多 1990-1991 年海湾战争时代（GWE）的退伍军人都经历了一些人们难以理解的健康问题。为了应对招募这一人群参与研究的挑战，我们对 GWE 退伍军人和主题专家（SME）进行了焦点小组和半结构化电话访谈，以探讨 GWE 退伍军人对研究的看法。
对转录的讨论进行了内容分析。参与者讨论了在其他人群中确定的与研究相关的激励因素和障碍，以及可能特定于 GWE 退伍军人的细微差别。
激励因素的例子包括：寻求健康问题的原因和治疗方法的答案；帮助自己；帮助其他退伍军人。障碍的例子包括：对联邦实体的不信任和不满；缺乏研究跟进；以及对隐私和保密性的担忧。
研究人员可以利用这些信息来更好地解决 GWE 退伍军人的担忧，并激励他们参与研究。让 GWE 退伍军人参与研究将使研究人员和临床医生能够更好地理解和解决影响这一人群的健康问题。
