Articles: health.
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Hospitalists working outside the Veterans Affairs (VA) system frequently will serve Veterans receiving care for acute conditions and/or awaiting transfer to VA facilities. ⋯ Most studied health conditions among Veterans of post-9/11 conflicts have focused on areas of particular importance to the VA. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in understanding the correlation between specific exposures and clinical outcomes currently observed and to be anticipated in the future in this population.
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Sense of coherence (SOC) refers to the psychosocial aspects and origins of health. Sense of coherence is related to physical and psychological health and quality of life. Military studies on SOC are commonly related to military deployment or operations, military training, and military fitness. Sense of coherence is assessed using a self-report scale. The total score of the scale indicates the level of SOC. Psychometric research studies over 2 past decades, however, suggest that the SOC scale is a multidimensional measure, and the latent factors should be considered as separate dimensions of SOC. Thus far, there are no previous factorial structure studies of the SOC scale in military contexts or in military populations. The dimensions of SOC have not been investigated in relation to mental health and subjective well-being of soldiers, military personnel, or military recruits/conscripts. ⋯ SOC among conscripts is a 2-dimensional model. The experience of recovery from past mental health problems is related to a stronger motivational dimension (meaningfulness towards life), which shows upon obligatory military service and training. Sense of coherence motivational aspect may be useful when training recruits. Demographic variables, such as economic situation, family structure, and parents' employment, should be considered when assessing past and/or present mental health problems and SOC.
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Private equity acquisitions of health care facilities have rapidly increased over the past decade. However, little is known about the effects of private equity acquisitions of US hospitals on patient care experience. ⋯ Patient care experience worsened after private equity acquisition of hospitals. These findings raise concern about the implications of private equity acquisitions on patient care experience at US hospitals.