Health care access for Veterans in Five Eyes countries: A scoping review

Introduction: Veterans experience elevated physical and mental health needs, and they often face challenges navigating civilian health care systems. This scoping review synthesized qualitative evidence on barriers and facilitators to health care access among Veterans in Five Eyes countries a multidimensional access work. Methods: Following Joanna Briggs Institute and PRISMA-ScR guidance, five databases (CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, Medline, Embase, and Scopus) and one journal were searched to Sep. 26, 2025. Qualitative studies examining access to physical or mental health care among Veterans were included, and findings were mapped across dimensions of health care access. Results: Eighty-four studies met inclusion criteria, most from the United States (83%) and published within the past decade. Barriers and facilitators were identified across all 10 dimensions of access. Key supply-side barriers included poor appropriateness (e.g., negative care experiences, fragmented coordination), limited availability (e.g., wait times, geographic distance), and low acceptability (e.g., limited cultural competence, gender insensitivity). Demand-side barriers primarily affected early stages of access, including the ability to perceive need and seek care. Distrust of health care systems, low health literacy, stigma, and difficulties navigating services were particularly prominent, while relatively few facilitators addressed these early stages. Discussion: The literature reviewed suggests that improving Veteran health care access requires culturally competent care and approaches that address early barriers, including stigma, distrust, and difficulties navigating care, to help-seeking behaviours. However, important evidence gaps remain, including limited use of comprehensive access-to-care frameworks, a lack of research conducted outside the United States, and under-representation of equity-deserving Veteran populations.