Implementations of the Million Veterans Genetic Program at Veteran Affairs Medical Centres - Research Paper Example

? Project on the Implementations of the MVP at VAMCs of Project on the Implementations of the Million Veterans Genetic Program at VAMCs Introduction The Million Veteran Genetic Program (MVP) is a Veterans Affairs research program that intends to advance genomics’ sophisticated science; it seeks to learn more about genes and how they affect health of persons with the aim of transforming Veterans and consequently all Americans’ health care (Roudebush, 2011). The program’s aim is based on advancing diagnosis and prognosis and disease screening that ultimately is believed will lead to more personalized and effective therapies. United States Department of Veterans Affairs (2011) explains that the aim of the program is informed by the fact the health of Americans and Veterans are in great part impacted by genes, and it is therefore important to learn more about genes and the ways that can be used to prevent and treat illnesses that are genetic- related. Kupersmith (2011) states that the purpose and aims of the program is well- detailed and various efforts have been to facilitate the program’s effective implementation. The United States government commitment and that of other stakeholders in addition to properly laid down programs, have indicated that the implementations of the MVP will be successful. However, several setbacks may arise during implementations (The Cypress Times, 2011). This project will therefore seek to understand the implementations of the Million Veteran Genetic Program (MVP) at Veteran Affairs Medical Centres (VAMCs). Scope of the Project The project will cover the implementations of the MVP at VAMCs. The project’s boundary will just be within the implementations of the MVP at VAMCs and made no reference to implementation elsewhere. In regard to its approaches, the project will review relevant literature and carry out data collection using both the qualitative and quantitative research approaches. In addition, the project will provide the basis for analysis of data. Moreover, it will identify the ethical and human rights concerns that arise from the program. Lastly, it will provide the plan for disseminating and implementing the research findings. Significance of the Problem This project is important in two main ways; one, it will provide deeper understanding of the MVP program at VAMCs. Two, it will help identify the progress made in the implementations so far and the challenges that are being experienced. Historical Review of the Problem It is undisputable fact that genes are critical in the lives of human beings; they determine person’s behaviour and physical traits. However, numerous researchers have found out that through complex interactions of genes with people’s lifestyles and environment, they may increase the possibility of diseases (Kupersmith, 2011). The common illnesses that are associated with genes and its interactions to the environment and lifestyles include; cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases. It has been established that Americans and the Veterans in particular are bound to have gene- related complications and illnesses in their lives (United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2011). It is because of this, that the government saw the need of establishing and supporting the Million Veterans Genetic program in order to understand how genes affect the health of people, and therefore, advance efforts in preventing and treating these complications and illnesses. To achieve this, The Cypress Times (2011) says that the program intends to consolidate military exposure, lifestyle, health, and genetic information together in a single database. Through the database, academic institutions within the United States, federal health agencies, and the Veteran Affairs (VA) will conduct wellness and health studies in order to determine and understand which genetic variations relate with specific health issues (Kupersmith, 2011). Consequently, the program will be able to advance prognosis, diagnosis, and disease screening with a view of facilitating personalized and effective therapies. However, as is the case with many programs, there are numerous activities, plans, successes, and challenges involved in their implementations (Roudebush, 2011). It is because of this that is important to understand the entire implementations of the particular program in a given jurisdiction. Purpose of the Project The purpose of the project is to provide understanding of the implementations of the Million Veteran Genetic Program at VAMCs. Particularly, on the plans, activities, progress, and challenges. Problem Statement Due to the need to ensure that the health issues of Americans are addressed and Veterans accorded the best health services and being honoured in the process, implementations of Million Veterans Genetic Program at VAMCs are critical. It should not be lost that implementations involve processes that are often complex and diverse. As such understanding them and their outcomes is vital. Implementations of Million Veterans Genetic Program at VAMCs will enhance health provisions services in America. Literature Review Genes are entrenched in the body and traits of each human being; they determine the physical traits such as the height and skin colour in addition to determining personal behaviour of persons (The Cypress Times, 2011). Even though genes are critical to human existence and survival, its interactions with people lifestyle factors and environment have been considered to contribute to diseases risks among human beings (United States Department of Veterans Affairs, 2011). Some of the notable illnesses attributed to genes and their interaction with human lifestyles and environments are cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases among others. According to Kupersmith (2011), one of the major categories of the United States people who have been affected by the genes- related illnesses and complications are the Veterans. This is because the environment they were working in and the lifestyles they were leading due to the nature of their work are highly linked to these implications and illnesses. Therefore, it is important that the Veterans learn more on how genes impact on their health so as to respond appropriately to them. Besides, it is vital that academic institutions, federal health agencies, and the Veteran Affairs understand ways in which genes affect the health of people especially the Veterans in order to contribute effectively to addressing these health issues (Roudebush, 2011). Kupersmith (2011) explains that the program is an effort by the VA to consolidate lifestyle, military exposure, health, and genetic information in a single database so as to enable the authorized persons and institutions determine genetic variations which are associated with certain health issues. Roudebush (2011) notes that having being launched in January, 2011 at a single VAMC, the program is expanding to attain the goal of Veterans having national participation through receiving Veterans Affairs care for the next 5 to 7 years. The Genomics Survey Findings from a survey carried out through collaborations between VA and VSO from April 24 to May 5, 2008, showed that 83% of the respondents said that the program should be done (Kupersmith, 2011). The survey indicated that the high response rating was because of the following; most respondents were satisfied with the healthcare of VA, people wanted people with ‘altruistic behaviours’ be helped, most respondents had good attitudes towards the research, and most of them were curious about genetics. However they raised some of the important concerns regarding the program namely safeguarding of data and privacy. Roudebush (2011) notes that in the light of these concerns, information security of the program and the safety of the patient is given utmost priorities in the research initiatives. Roudebush goes further to explain that to achieve this end, the blood samples that contain health information and genetic material that have been collected through the program will be labelled using barcode rather than personal information and stored in a manner that ensures their maximum security. Furthermore, those researchers that allowed accessing the data and samples will not be in a position to obtain the dates of birth, names, social security numbers, and the address of the veterans who will be participating in the program (Kupersmith, 2011). More importantly, through the VA GenISIS computing environment, the researchers will come to the data rather than data moving to the researchers; all these measures will be in a bid to boost security and privacy of the data and participants (The Cypress Times, 2011). The program is implemented at the highest level of regulatory and academic research expertise hence giving the program the credibility and reliability it deserves in order to conduct effective implementation. It has been developed through close coordination of Veteran representatives, Veterans Service Organizations, National Institutes of Health, legal and scientific experts in the genetics field, and the Department of Defence United States Department of (Veterans Affairs, 2011). Also, the process of enrolment to the program and research validation approaches are well- detailed and planned. Research Design The research design that will be used in the project will be case study. According to Royce and Straits (2004), case study research design is the most appropriate in researches where the researcher(s) are conducting a detailed and intensive study regarding a particular topic. The design gives a particular problem aspect to be studied in great depth often within time scale that is limited. Case study can be either explanatory or descriptive, and can also employ the qualitative and quantitative approaches. Case study is good especially when studying institutions, policies, and projects (Royce and Straits, 2004). In the context of problem under study, case study will provide basis for studying the program in intensively and in depth hence ensuring that deeper understanding of the program is achieved. Recruitments of Participants The project will involve 10 participants. These participants will be recruited through purposive sampling; purposive sampling is the kind of sampling that targets a particular group of persons who have certain experiences, knowledge or expertise (Royce and Straits, 2004). 10 participants will be recruited (5 will be Veterans, 2 Department of Defence personnel, 1 legal expert and two scientific experts in the field of genetics). Data Collection To attain high level of credibility and reliability, the project will use both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Royce and Straits (2004) notes that combination of these approaches often give the study more credibility and reliability compared to when only one of the approaches is used. Qualitatively, the semi- structured interviews will be conducted between the researcher and each of the recruited participants. The decision to choose such a relatively low number of respondents was informed by the fact that small number will provide an opportunity to interview the participants for quite a long time which is essential in getting in-depth information. Also, semi- structured interviews will provide room for open- ended questions during interview which is important in getting sufficient clarifications on pertinent issues (Royce and Straits, 2004). In regard to quantitative approach, questionnaires will be administered to the respondents so that they answer specific questions. Apart from that, data will be collected from secondary sources such as books, reports, and the program’s website regarding the process of enrolment; the number of people under the program. It will also look at the financial implications for the implementations of the program. Data Analysis After the data has been collected, it will be analyzed so as to get useful information, make conclusions, which can be used to for decision making. It is important to note that in case study research design, data analysis often begins in the field while collecting data. This is done during notes recording in interviews and initial interpretations made during discussions or interviews (Royce and Straits, 2004). Since analysis of case studies is more of analyzing variables rather than cases, statistical analysis are rarely used. This project will apply the same data analysis methods. Ethical Concerns and Human Rights Ethical concerns and concerns on human rights may prove inevitable in this project because it uses human subjects. In researches where human subjects are used, ethical concerns and human rights issues have increasing frequency of occurring. The concerns are more heightened in health sciences and medicine studies where some body parts or materials may be used (Bryman, 2004).In the project, the identified potential participants will be notified of the intention to recruit them for participation to the research. The purpose and aims of the project will be detailed to them clearly so as to obtain their informed consents to participate in the project. Also, approval from the Veterans Affairs and Veterans representatives will be sought in order to be allowed to interview and administer questionnaires to their members. n addition, since the project concerns health sciences and medicine, it will be important that the approval from an appropriate Institutional Review Board; in this case National Institutes of Health. Dissemination and Implementation Disseminating and implementing the research findings is a very critical part of any project as they allow interested parties in the project to have a better understanding of the project. Besides, it provides opportunity for researcher to make corrections to the project from the feedbacks provided by parties interested in the project (Bryman, 2004). Dissemination of the research findings will be done through a workshop or conference that will involve the relevant stakeholders such as Veterans representatives, Department of Defence personnel, and the federal health officers among others. Feedbacks to the findings will be allowed from those attending the conference so as to include some positive or omitted information to the project. With regard to implementation plan of research findings, there is no single approach to enhancing this process (Royce and Straits, 2004). Patients and other stakeholders will be provided with detailed and clear explanation about how the program will be implemented; this explanation will be based on the evidence that the research has found out. In addition, the use of research findings will be promoted through subsequent evaluation. Lastly, the research will recommend that sufficient resources be made available to ensure that the implementation process is successful. References Bryman, A. (2004). Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Kupersmith, J. (2011). Million Veterans Program. Retrieved 17 Jan. 2012 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/kupersmith.pdf Royce, A and Straits B. (2004). Approaches to Social Research. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Roudebush, R. (2011). Million Veterans Program. Retrieved 17 Jan. 2012 from http://www.indianapolis.va.gov/features/Million_Veteran_Program_MVP.asp The Cypress Times. (2011). Million Veteran Program: A Partnership with Veterans. Retrieved 17 Jan. 2012 from http://www.thecypresstimes.com/article/MedicalHealth/ United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (2011). Million Veteran Program: A Partnership with veterans. Retrieved 17 Jan. 2012 from http://www.research.va.gov/mvp/veterans.cfm#1 Read More