Review of American Indian veteran telemental health.

Rural American Indian veterans have unique healthcare needs and face numerous barriers to accessing healthcare services. Over the past decade, the Department of Veterans Affairs in conjunction with the University of Colorado Denver has turned to the promising field of telemental health to develop a series of videoconferencing-based clinics to reach this vulnerable population and improve mental healthcare services. The ongoing development, implementation, and expansion of these clinics have been assessed as part of a program improvement. The outcomes of these assessments have been documented in a series of published articles, controlled studies, program and case reports, and model descriptions. This article summarizes a decade of experience with the American Indian Telemental Health Clinics, the clinic model, and the literature arising from these clinics and presents lessons learned while establishing, maintaining, and evaluating these clinics. The ability to tailor the clinics to individual sites and cultures and to provide various services has been critical to the operation of the clinics. Culturally specific care through culturally knowledgeable providers, onsite tribal outreach workers, and collaboration with community services has proven essential in operating the clinics, as well as building rapport, trust, and engagement with the target patient population. It is hoped that the lessons learned and practices presented here can not only assist others working to improve the care for rural Native veterans but also serve as a model in the use of telemental health services for improving care and access to rural veteran and non-veteran populations.

Growth of Red Oak (Quercus Rubra L.) Seedlings in Relation to Light and Nutrients.

Growth and nutrient uptake of red oak seedlings were studied under conditions simulating a forest understory. The tallest seedlings grew in 30% of full light; seedlings in full light had the greatest dry weight accumulation. Seedlings in full light had an average height of 9.7 inches, and those at 30% and 10% light averaged 12.9 and 8.8 inches respectively. Only seedlings in 30% or more light responded in height growth to an NPK fertilizer. Seedlings in 10% light accumulated nutrients, but showed no growth response to fertilization. Thus, fertilization did not lower the minimum light requirements.