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About the Studies
Who runs these studies? The studies are organized by the VA’s Office of Health Informatics (OHI) Human Systems Integration (HSI) within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). HSI partners with experienced research teams to coordinate and schedule participants and ensure all studies follow VA’s privacy and ethical standards.
What are HSI studies? HSI studies help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) understand how Veterans, caregivers, survivors, and staff interact with VA systems, services, and processes. These studies may include testing new tools, reviewing communications, or discussing service experiences. The goal is to make VA programs safer, easier to use, and more effective for everyone.
What kinds of topics do the studies cover? Topics vary depending on VA priorities and projects. You may be asked to:
What are HSI studies? HSI studies help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) understand how Veterans, caregivers, survivors, and staff interact with VA systems, services, and processes. These studies may include testing new tools, reviewing communications, or discussing service experiences. The goal is to make VA programs safer, easier to use, and more effective for everyone.
What kinds of topics do the studies cover? Topics vary depending on VA priorities and projects. You may be asked to:
- Review a new process, form, or communication
- Participate in a focus group discussion
- Try out a new or updated system or service
- Share your feedback through an interview or survey
Getting Started
How do I sign up?Complete the short sign up form to let us know you’d like to participate. We’ll contact you when a study matches your background and availability.
What happens after I sign up?After completing the sign-up from, you will receive an email confirming your submission. Each study will have different requirements for the participants. Once your entry matches the requirements for a study, you may be selected for participation in a study.
How will I know if I’ve been selected?If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all necessary instructions.
What if I haven't been selected yet?Since each study has unique participation requirements, you may not have matched with a study yet; but you may be selected soon! Unless you have contacted us and withdrawn yourself from consideration, you are still being considered for future studies. You only need to complete the sign-up form once.
What happens after I sign up?After completing the sign-up from, you will receive an email confirming your submission. Each study will have different requirements for the participants. Once your entry matches the requirements for a study, you may be selected for participation in a study.
How will I know if I’ve been selected?If selected, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all necessary instructions.
- If additional information is required to determine eligibility for the study, we will send an additional form for you to complete.
(Some studies may require participants use of or interaction with specific VA services; this information was not collected in the general sign-up form. The information provided will only be used to determine eligibility for the study and will follow the same data protection protocols.) - Once you have been deemed eligible for participation, you will receive a link to sign up for a session and a Participation Agreement to review and sign. The participation agreement MUST be signed and shared with the research team prior to your session.
- After signing up you will receive a confirmation email with the session details, including time, location, and any materials you’ll need should you be selected for a session.
- After the session is completed, you will receive a link to collect payment for your participation.
- If additional information is required to determine eligibility for the study, we will send an additional form for you to complete.
What if I haven't been selected yet?Since each study has unique participation requirements, you may not have matched with a study yet; but you may be selected soon! Unless you have contacted us and withdrawn yourself from consideration, you are still being considered for future studies. You only need to complete the sign-up form once.
Participation and Eligibility
Who can participate? We welcome participation from:
Do I need to be a current VA patient or employee?Not always. Some studies focus on general user experience and may include individuals with prior or indirect experience with VA.
Can I participate in more than one study?Each study generally requires unique participants to ensure diverse feedback. However, some studies may require participation in previous studies. Unless you instruct us to remove your name from the pool, all participants will remain in the eligible participant pool even after participating in a study. If you would like to remove yourself from eligibility in future studies, please contact us.
- Veterans who use or have used VA health care or benefits
- Caregivers or family members who help Veterans navigate VA services
- Survivors of Veterans who receive VA benefits
- VA employees and staff who interact with VA systems or customers
Do I need to be a current VA patient or employee?Not always. Some studies focus on general user experience and may include individuals with prior or indirect experience with VA.
Can I participate in more than one study?Each study generally requires unique participants to ensure diverse feedback. However, some studies may require participation in previous studies. Unless you instruct us to remove your name from the pool, all participants will remain in the eligible participant pool even after participating in a study. If you would like to remove yourself from eligibility in future studies, please contact us.
Study Logistics
How long do studies take?Most sessions last about one hour, though some may be shorter or longer depending on the topic.
Where do studies take place?Many studies are conducted virtually using secure video platforms like Microsoft Teams. Some are conducted in person at VA facilities, such as the SimLEARN Center in Orlando, Florida, or other VA sites across the U.S.
What are study “sessions”?A study may include several sessions—each session is a single meeting with one or more participants where feedback is collected.
What technology do I need for participating in a study?If your study is virtual, you’ll need a computer, smartphone, or tablet with a camera and internet connection. The research team will help you test your connection before your session and provide assistance if you encounter any issues. Depending on the study, a certain type of device may be required.
How can I get help with tools and technologies needed for participating in a study?Our virtual studies use Microsoft Teams to schedule a meeting.There are several ways to join a Teams meeting:
Where do studies take place?Many studies are conducted virtually using secure video platforms like Microsoft Teams. Some are conducted in person at VA facilities, such as the SimLEARN Center in Orlando, Florida, or other VA sites across the U.S.
What are study “sessions”?A study may include several sessions—each session is a single meeting with one or more participants where feedback is collected.
What technology do I need for participating in a study?If your study is virtual, you’ll need a computer, smartphone, or tablet with a camera and internet connection. The research team will help you test your connection before your session and provide assistance if you encounter any issues. Depending on the study, a certain type of device may be required.
How can I get help with tools and technologies needed for participating in a study?Our virtual studies use Microsoft Teams to schedule a meeting.There are several ways to join a Teams meeting:
- Join by link from the meeting invite
- Join from calendar or ID
- Call into the meeting (you do not need to download Microsoft Teams for this option)
Honorarium and Reimbursement
Will I be paid for participating?Yes. Participants receive an honorarium between $35 and $100 in the form of an e-gift card, depending on the study type and duration. In-person sessions may also include travel reimbursement (up to $25) in line with Federal Travel Regulations. Participants will be notified of their payment amount before agreeing to participate.
When will I receive payment?Payments are typically issued within five business days after completing your session. If you have any issues with your payment, please contact us.
What if I can’t finish a session?If you are unable to complete the session due to technical issues or circumstances beyond your control, you may still receive your honorarium.
When will I receive payment?Payments are typically issued within five business days after completing your session. If you have any issues with your payment, please contact us.
What if I can’t finish a session?If you are unable to complete the session due to technical issues or circumstances beyond your control, you may still receive your honorarium.
Privacy and Consent
How is my information protected?Your privacy is important to us. Personal information is never shared with the Government. Data is stored and handled according to VA Directive 6300, HIPAA, and Federal privacy standards. Your data is never sold.
Will sessions be recorded?Some sessions may be recorded (audio or screen only) to ensure accuracy in note-taking. Participant faces will not be recorded, and recordings are used only for internal analysis by the VA study team.
Will my participation affect my VA benefits or employment?No. Participation is completely voluntary and has no impact on your benefits, employment status, or eligibility for other VA programs.
Can I stop participating or withdraw my name from the eligibility for future studies?Yes. You may withdraw from a study at any time for any reason. If you would like to withdraw your name from our database and remove yourself from consideration for participation in future studies, please contact us to let us know.
Will sessions be recorded?Some sessions may be recorded (audio or screen only) to ensure accuracy in note-taking. Participant faces will not be recorded, and recordings are used only for internal analysis by the VA study team.
Will my participation affect my VA benefits or employment?No. Participation is completely voluntary and has no impact on your benefits, employment status, or eligibility for other VA programs.
Can I stop participating or withdraw my name from the eligibility for future studies?Yes. You may withdraw from a study at any time for any reason. If you would like to withdraw your name from our database and remove yourself from consideration for participation in future studies, please contact us to let us know.
Need Help?
If you have questions about participation, privacy, or the study process, please contact us. We’re happy to assist with technology setup, scheduling, or any other support you may need.Google Sites
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