The Combat & Operational Stress Research Quarterly, Fall 2009

The Combat & Operational Stress Research Quarterly is a compilation of recent research on combat and operational stress, including relevant findings on the etiology, course, and treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The intent of this publication is to facilitate translational research by providing busy clinicians with up-to-date findings, with potential to guide and inform evidenced-based treatment.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/nccosc/forResearchers/Documents/Fall%202009%20Research%20Quarterly.pdf

Women At Arm, A Combat Role and Anguish Too, NY Times Nov 11 2009

Women now represent nearly 15% of the fighting force. The Iraq and Afghanistan wars has significantly change the roles women are engaged in during war. The enemy has chosen the Improved Explosive Device (IED) as its weapon of choice. IED are frequently used to disrupt and/or destroy transportation routes. Many of the drivers of military vehicles are women, and they are now direct targets of the enemy. Women are also being utilized in house to house searches. US military has learned that it is more effective and culturally acceptable for women service members to interview Iraqi and Afghan women and children. The landscape of these two war fronts have changed to role of women in combat. The front lines have no longer have gender boundaries.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/us/01trauma.html“>

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/01/us/01trauma.html

Invisible wounds of war : psychological and cognitive injuries, their consequences, and services to assist recovery / Terri Tanielian, Lisa H. Jaycox. Rand Corp, April 2008

The Rand specifically highlights the critical importance of the developing best practices to deal with the onslaught of mental and behavioral health challenges facing the nation’s warriors, their families, and veterans. This report states that the DoD, VA, and other government entities need to improve that quality of healthcare delivered. Currently there is no standardized system of training and or certifying mechanism to validate the competency of mental and behavioral healthcare providers on military culture in the clinical setting, and patient-centered best practices.

http://www.qascores.com/pubs/monographs/2008/RAND_MG720.pdf

Serve, Support, Simplify – The President’s Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors / July 2007

The President’s Commission Report emphasized the following points. Making the significant improvements the Commission recommendation requires a sense of urgency and strong leadership. The tendency to make systems too complex and rule-bound must be countered by a new perspective, grounded in an understanding of the importance of patient-centeredness.

http://www.veteransforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/presidents-commission-on-care-for-americas-returning-wounded-warriors-report-july-2007.pdf

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the VA Healthcare: A Systematic Review; Department of Veterans AffairsHealth Services Research & Development Service, June 2007

The VA’s own internal review highlighted the need for the development and launch of tools to assist patients and healthcare providers more effectively interact. There is a recognized need to improve the health outcomes for the VA’s diverse patient population. Currently the is documented disparities in care delivery and outcomes in the following disease states (Mental Health and Substance Abuse; Arthritis and Pain Management; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cancer; Diabetes; and HIV / Hepatitis C. The VA also noted the VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) that disproportionately serve minority veterans have fewer available services or deliver lower quality care overall than VAMCs serving predominately white veterans.

http://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/publications/esp/RacialDisparities-2007.pdf

Adolescent Brain Development and Juvenile Justice – Fact Sheet

47 percent of the soldiers in the Army are between the ages of 17-24 years. 67% of the Marines in the Marine Corps are between the ages of 17-24 years. This article states that recent magnetic brain imagery technology has shown the brain does not complete its frontal lobe development until the age of 25. The frontal lobe of the brain is responsible for executive function and higher lever thinking. The emotional stressors and traumas of war may have a more deleterious impact on the mental and behavioral health conditions of adolescent service members, and veterans.

http://www.act4jj.org/media/factsheets/factsheet_12.pdf