Maintaining Engaged Scholarship in Challenging Times: Experiences Working with Veteran Providers in Greater Los Angeles

Abstract

Here we describe challenges experienced in a study premised on scholarly engagement that consisted of a partnership between the nutritional science program and medical providers at the Veterans Administration, Greater Los Angeles, following allegations of systemic misconduct in the delivery of health care by the Veterans Health Administration.  As a primary provider of medical training in the United States, we were interested in obtaining their opinion about and knowledge of vitamin D nutriture in relation to cognitive and physical functioning.  We were unable to overcome challenges that undermined collaboration and propose incentivization, partnering with grounded physicians’ organizations and utilizing a knowledge broker.