# Disparities in Trust: COVID-19's Impact on Minority Veterans' Healthcare Experiences

> **NIH VA I01** · VA SALT LAKE CITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2022 · —

## Abstract

Background: Patients’ trust in their healthcare system has a profound impact on their health and well-being
and, as 1 of 4 overall key goals set by the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), is a high priority
for VA. Our previous research found lower levels of trust and higher perceived discrimination amongst Black
and Latinx Veterans obtaining VA medical care compared to White Veterans. Considering the disproportionate
impact of the pandemic on minority communities and the overlap between racial and digital divides, it is
important to better understand the negative healthcare experiences of Black and Latinx Veterans in the
aftermath of COVID-19. This information will be critical to improve care through targeted recommendations.
Significance/Impact: Considering the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on minority Veterans, the
potential differential effects of a radically transformed healthcare environment, and the need to implement
widespread vaccination and booster programs, our proposal focuses on an important VA priority. Our proposed
research is highly responsive to the call to ensure the VA meets its strategic goal of inspiring Veterans to trust
the healthcare system, as well as to HSR&D’s priority for actionable health equity research. VA also
recognizes the importance of understanding the source of racial/ethnic disparities in trust with VA medical care
in order to develop targeted recommendations to improve minority trust with VA health care.
Innovativeness: The proposed Disparities In Care Experiences (DICE) study uses a novel mixed methods
design that integrates the insights and richness of qualitative data collection with the precision of quantitative
data analysis. DICE will be able to traverse from detection, to understanding, to forming the basis for
interventions using Veterans’ own recommendations.
Specific Aim 1. To examine the associations between Veterans’ race/ethnicity and their trust in the VA by
conducting the DICE quantitative telephone survey with 1,050 Black, Latinx, and White male and female
Veterans from 25 VA Medical Centers who used VA outpatient or telehealth services, or had care deferred.
Specific Aim 2. To explore Veterans’ experiences contributing to trust in the VA by adding open -ended
qualitative questions to the DICE quantitative telephone surveys for a subset of 150 male and female Veterans
from our Aim 1 sample and to elicit actionable recommendations for improving Black and Latinx trust in VA.
Specific Aim 3. Using the Aim 1 survey results and the Aim 2 Veteran recommendations, we will work with our
operational partners and a key vendor to develop and disseminate a toolkit and training to empower VA
stakeholders to improve the healthcare system to engender trust amongst Black and Latinx Veterans.
Methodology: Using racial/ethnic stratification we will survey 1,050 Veterans at 25 VA medical centers on
their experience of trust in VA. One hundred and fifty Veterans will also be asked open-end...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10534715
- **Project number:** 1I01HX003479-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** VA SALT LAKE CITY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** SUSAN L. ZICKMUND
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10534715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10534715, Disparities in Trust: COVID-19's Impact on Minority Veterans' Healthcare Experiences (1I01HX003479-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10534715. Licensed CC0.

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