VA Information Resource Center

Who We Are

The VA Information Resource Center (VIReC) develops resources for and provides guidance to VA researchers using data. Our staff, scientists, and advisors include database and informatics experts, research methodologists, and experts for various database content areas. Check out the Meet VIReC: The Researcher's Guide to VA Data cyberseminar to learn about us, our products, and how to navigate our web environments.

The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is a national leader in health research. VIReC is one of three Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) resource centers that supports this effort. We were established in July 1998 to service the VA research community, and are funded by HSR&D Service Grant 98-004.

Contact Information

VIReC provides direct support to VA researchers using VA data and information systems through our HelpDesk.

What We Do

Vision

A community of informed VA researchers empowered to use data effectively to improve Veteran health and health care.

Mission

To support the effective use of data by VA’s analytic community to transform Veteran health and health care as part of a learning health system.

• Create Data Education & Resources – We translate complex information about VA data into user friendly data documentation, guides, methods briefs, cyberseminars, and tutorials.

• Disseminate Data Knowledge – We facilitate knowledge sharing and the centralization of information about VA data through our websites, HelpDesk, and data user forum.

• Strengthen VA Data Capacity – We collaborate with VA data stewards and program offices to increase the availability and utility of data within the learning health system.

VIReC Products & Services

VIReC is a key source of data knowledge and guidance regarding VA data and information systems. We disseminates products and services on our Intranet and Internet websites, including data documentation and user guides, cyberseminars and tutorials, HelpDesk services, and access to our virtual knowledge-sharing forum.

• Data Knowledge Products – a knowledge base of factual and evaluative information for VA researchers who are using VA data and information systems.

• Education – cyberseminars, presentations, and tutorials to help VA researchers with accessing and using VA data.

• Data News – current news and updates regarding health data, databases, and medical informatics.

• Publications – peer reviewed articles, papers, and journal supplements published by VIReC staff.

• Support – individualized responses to requests from VA researchers about databases and information systems used for VA research.

VIReC's Websites

VIReC maintains Internet and Intranet websites. This is VIReC's Internet site. The purpose of this site is to provide general information about VIReC activities. It is recommended that researchers use VA Intranet sites whenever possible. These sites contain additional information only available to VA staff.

VIReC's Intranet site provides resources and guidance for VA researchers using data and information systems. VIReC also collaborates on the VHA Data Portal, a gateway to information about VHA data. Researchers with VA network access can visit these sites by copying and pasting the following URLs into the browser.

• VIReC Intranet: https://vaww.virec.research.va.gov/

• VHA Data Portal: http://vaww.vhadataportal.med.va.gov/

VIReC Team

VIReC’s staff and scientific advisors include database experts, informatics experts, research methodologists, and experts in various VA database content areas.

Executive Leadership

Project Leads

Analysts & Project Specialists

External Advisors

HSR&D Center Expert & Stakeholder Forum