Camaraderie Drives Veterans’ Choice of VA Health Care, Study Finds
A survey-based study reveals that camaraderie among veterans plays a significant role in their decision to seek care within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health System, highlighting an often-overlooked cultural factor in veterans’ health care preferences.
Conducted in 2019 and analyzed from late 2024 to early 2025, the web-based survey included responses from 652 veterans who use VA health services. Researchers sought to determine whether the opportunity to connect with fellow veterans influenced their choice of health care provider. The results confirmed the hypothesis: camaraderie matters—particularly for younger veterans.
Overall, 52.41% of respondents identified being around other veterans as an important factor in their health care decisions. This sentiment was strongest among younger participants, with 75.88% of veterans aged 18 through 34 valuing camaraderie, compared to 65.35% of those aged 35 through 64, and just 35.75% of veterans 65 and older.
In a hypothetical scenario where VA and private care options were equal in cost and travel distance, 69% of veterans reported they would still choose VA care. Further analysis showed that veterans who placed high value on camaraderie were 2.24 times more likely to choose VA services over private sector alternatives (95% CI, 1.81-2.77).
The study's design emphasized both conventional considerations—such as access and quality—and cultural components including practitioner cultural competency, trust in caregivers, and the opportunity to maintain military connections. These cultural dimensions, researchers argue, have often been underrepresented in discussions about the veteran health care experience.
“This is the first study, to our knowledge, that documents the importance of camaraderie among patients as a factor in selecting a health care system or provider,” the authors noted. The survey was developed by a team of seasoned experts in veterans’ health in collaboration with Ipsos and included trust metrics from the Wake Forest Trust Scale.
The findings underscore a crucial insight: while medical quality and accessibility are vital, the social and emotional support that comes from shared military experience remains a central component of care for many veterans—especially those navigating the difficult transition from service to civilian life.
As the VA continues expanding access to community-based care, the researchers emphasize the need to maintain opportunities for peer connection, particularly for younger veterans who may benefit most from these affiliations.
Reference
Vigilante K, Batten SV, Shang Q, et al. Camaraderie Among US Veterans and Their Preferences for Health Care Systems and Practitioners. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(4):e255253. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.5253
