DoD Gulf War Illness, Patient-Provider and Health Communications Award

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The FY19 GWIRP Patient−Provider and Health Communications Award supports projects aimed at tools and processes to raise awareness of GWI research and clinical findings within communities, including Veterans with GWI and/or their caregivers or advocates; healthcare providers who serve Veterans with GWI; or public health professionals relevant to Veterans with GWI. Strategies developed under this funding opportunity should consider GWI findings at any phase of the research pipeline. Impact: Activities supported by the Patient−Provider and Health Communications Award will have potential for major impact on quality of life for Veterans with GWI by increasing awareness, understanding, and education of current evidence-based GWI research in diverse audiences. The impact should be near-term and demonstrate strong potential to help Veterans, caregivers, or clinicians communicate effectively about GWI, potential treatments, and disease management. Gulf War Veteran Involvement: Applications are required to include involvement of at least one Gulf War Veteran with GWI. This individual(s) will be integral throughout the planning and implementation of the research project. The Gulf War Veteran(s) should be involved in the development of the research idea, project design, oversight, and evaluation to help ensure a substantial positive impact on Gulf War Veterans with GWI. Interactions between the Veteran(s) and other team members should be thoroughly integrated into the project and ongoing, not limited to attending seminars or semi-annual meetings. A Gulf War Veteran’s role in the project should be independent of their employment, i.e. they cannot be employees of any of the organizations participating in the application. They may, however, receive compensation as consultants or collaborators. A Gulf War Veteran(s) role should be focused on providing objective input on the communication strategy or other project deliverables and the potential for substantive impact on individuals with GWI. The Gulf War Veteran(s) should have a high level of knowledge and understanding of GWI symptoms and the scope of GWI’s impact on Veterans with GWI, (2) current GWI issues including clinical care challenges, and (3) existing GWI research to be able to successfully contribute to the project. Communication and Dissemination Strategies: This award will support development of health communication strategies including media, technical and organizational platforms, or other venues that will disseminate current research findings contributing to a state-of-the-science understanding of GWI. The strategies should encourage adoption of new evidence-based approaches to understanding, managing, and treating GWI; refute professional, personal, or institutional stigmas or barriers associated with GWI; or otherwise generate interest in becoming and staying well-informed regarding GWI.

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