Auditor General Michael Ferguson’s 2012 Fall Report, which includes an audit of the Government of Canada’s support for ill and injured military personnel in their transition to civilian life:
Main Points
What we examined
From 2006 to 2011, 8,026 Canadian Forces members were released from the military because of an injury or illness that ended their military career. Ill and injured members and veterans of the Canadian Forces have access to a variety of services, programs, and financial benefits to support their transition from military to civilian life.
Support services and benefits, including those available under the New Veterans Charter, are provided, coordinated, and managed primarily by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada.
Our audit looked at selected services and benefits provided to support eligible Canadian Forces members and veterans in their transition to civilian life. We examined how the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada manage those services and benefits.
We did not look at whether Canadian Forces members and veterans have received all benefits and services for which they were eligible. Neither did we examine the fairness of departmental services and benefits available, or the quality of medical treatment and care provided.
Audit work for this chapter was completed on 17 July 2012. More details on the conduct of the audit are in About the Audit at the end of the chapter.
Why it’s important
Ill and injured members of the Canadian Forces and their families may need support in making the transition to civilian life and in coping with their illnesses and injuries. Others who have left the military may develop physical and/or mental health problems over time that are associated with their military service and become eligible for support. Research shows that early detection and appropriate treatment of illness and injuries can have a critical impact on the success of this support, which amounted to about $500 million in the 2010–11 fiscal year.
How well National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada coordinate and manage this support affects the quality of the transition to civilian life that ill and injured Canadian Forces members and veterans are able to make.
What we found
* Canadian Forces members and veterans, as well as departmental staff responsible for assessing eligibility and managing the delivery of services and benefits, find the transition process complex, lengthy, and challenging to navigate. Although National Defence and the Canadian Forces, and Veterans Affairs Canada recognize the challenges and have been working independently and jointly on solutions, it remains difficult to access services and benefits in a timely manner. Reasons include the complexity of eligibility criteria, lack of clear information on support available, the amount of paperwork involved, and case management services that require further improvement.
* Both departments have difficulties in communicating and meeting service delivery standards and requirements, particularly as they relate to assessments and case management services. The result may be that Forces members and veterans do not receive benefits and services to which they are entitled, or do not receive them in a timely manner.
* An overarching governance framework has been established to coordinate, harmonize, and communicate the various programs, services, and benefits available to ill and injured Forces members and veterans. However, it does not specify the authority, responsibility, and accountability of the joint steering committee—the key coordinating mechanism meant to help manage the transition, reintegration, and continuity of support to Forces members and veterans. In addition, measurable objectives and specific timelines have not been established for all joint priorities approved by the committee. The existence of similar income support and vocational rehabilitation programs within each department continues to create confusion and difficulties for veterans and program staff alike.
The departments have responded. The departments agree with all of the recommendations. Their detailed responses follow the recommendations throughout the chapter.
Full report here: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/English/parl_oag_201210_04_e_37348.html
Friday, February 1, 2013
Auditor General Michael Ferguson's 2012 Fall Report, which includes an audit of the Government of Canada's support for ill and injured military personnel in their transition to civilian life:
New Study Shows PTSD, Alcohol Lead To Increased Sexual Performance
New Study Shows PTSD, Alcohol Lead To Increased Sexual Performance
Read more: http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/01/new-study-shows-ptsd-alcohol-lead-to-increased-sexual-performance/#ixzz2HaqYCwAI
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9 January 2013 | by G-Had
http://www.duffelblog.com/2013/01/new-study-shows-ptsd-alcohol-lead-to-increased-sexual-performance/
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new study released last week suggests that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can not only be cured through copious amounts of alcohol consumption, but over the long term actually leads to increased sexual performance.
The study “PABST and PTSD” was published in the Anals of Infantry Medisin, a publication sponsored by the Textbooks of Military Medicine and Anheuser-Busch inBev. It has already been endorsed by the Surgeon General of the United States and the Food and Drug Administration.
Drawing on eleven years of surveys conducted on US service-members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the study measured test subjects in several categories: mental stability, physical prowess, marital and family life, job retention, and high-speed stunt driving.
“No matter what category we looked at, people suffering from PTSD who drank heavily scored at the top of the charts over all other types of veterans and many other civilians,” said Dr. William Beasley, an Army physician at the Tripler Army Medical Center.
The main reason, according to the study, is alcohol’s remarkable inhibitor on what are popularly called “lifestyle choices”. For example, while many people are unable or unwilling to properly exercise, one PTSD-afflicted veteran was observed one night running naked through the streets of Tampa for at least seven hours. This is well above and beyond the Surgeon General’s recommended two and a half weekly exercise hours.
Dr. Tyler Smith, a psychiatrist at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, said he’s seen similar improvements on employment.
“One of our reservist JAG officers was having trouble dealing with an IED attack that wounded him and killed his best friend. But with copious amounts of alcohol, as well as us repeatedly reminding him that failure would be just like letting his dead friend down again, he managed to write a 200-page legal brief in just thirty minutes.”
Some military personnel have said the study only confirms what they’ve long-suspected.
“Most of my Marines do their absolute best on their physical fitness test or rifle range when they’re intoxicated,” said Staff Sergeant Alan Winters. “All these years I’ve been telling my guys to avoid drinking to solve their problems. Now I know better.”
The most amazing part of the study, though, was on married life and more specifically, sexual activity.
“My husband used to have serious performance issues, especially after he got back from Iraq,” said Marsha Summers. “But after he drank a whole bottle of Stoli, all I had to do was blast the opening beach scene from Saving Private Ryan, and he went ALL NIGHT!”
The study is not without its critics.
Some detractors claim the study is obviously biased, due to its sponsorship by a beer company. inBev spokesmen have responded that the study was exclusively conducted by Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen, “who obviously know something about the rigors of modern medical testing.”
Others have questioned the integrity of the Anals of Infantry Medisin, pointing to other studies it has published like “Prolonging Health With Barroom Brawls” and “Solve All Your Problems By Suicide”.
Further studies will be conducted on the effects of PTSD and alcohol on mountain climbing and deep sea diving.
PTSD 101 Core Curriculum
PTSD 101 Core Curriculum
What is PTSD? http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/ptsd/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1477&courseCode=PTSD101-02
The course What is PTSD? provides an overview of PTSD. The author outlines the history of the diagnosis and the current DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria, which includes a detailed description of each symptom cluster. Prevalence rates, course, comorbidity, and risk factors for both civilian and veteran populations are reported from the National Comorbidity Study and other recent investigations.
Author: Jessica Hamblen, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe the diagnostic criteria for PTSD
2. Describe the prevalence, consequences, and longitudinal course of PTSD in civilian and veteran populations
3. Report the risk factors for PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Assessment http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/Assessment2/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1478&courseCode=PTSD101-03
The course Assessment of PTSD outlines the necessary components for quality PTSD assessments and reports. Presented is an integrated model of risk factors, stressors, resiliency, and PTSD symptoms as it relates to assessment. The author discusses multimethod and dimensional assessment, as well as the evaluation of comorbid conditions, quality of life, and personality functioning.
Author: Terry Keane, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Outline the necessary components of a thorough PTSD assessment and report
2. Describe important documents used to gather background and supportive information for the diagnosis of PTSD
3. Understand how neuropsychological assessment can assist the diagnostic process
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/Psychotherapies/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1480&courseCode=PTSD101-06
This online course, Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapies for PTSD, outlines the components and empirical support for two evidence-based treatments: Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). An interactive learning tool and case examples with audio excerpts help further a provider's understanding of these treatments.
Author: Candice Monson, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of CPT and PE
2. Describe the components of CPT and PE
3. Report the evidence for the use of these treatments for PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Overview of the VA/DoD 2010 Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/CPG_Overview/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1520&courseCode=PTSD101_cpg_overview
The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the newly revised (2010) VA/DoD clinical practice guideline recommendations for PTSD. The presenter describes the evidence behind the recommendations for psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy and also reviews the changes made from the previous 2004 version, including recommendations for treating co-occurring conditions.
Author: Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Review changes between 2004 and 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
2. Describe the evidence for the psychotherapy recommendations
3. Describe the evidence for the pharmacotherapy recommendations
4. Describe recommendations for treating complex comorbid conditions and symptoms
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Pharmacological Treatment http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/Pharmacological/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1537&courseCode=PTSD101-01
Pharmacological interventions for PTSD are common, and considerable research has been conducted on the effectiveness of such treatment. The course, Pharmacological Treatment of PTSD and Comorbid Disorders, provides a review of the human stress system and the relationship between neurotransmitters and PTSD.
It reviews controlled medication trials for PTSD and summarizes the relative evidence for psychotherapy versus pharmacological interventions. The author also discusses current practices for combining treatments and for managing comorbid conditions.
Author: Matthew J. Friedman, MD, PhD
1. Understand how the human stress system is altered by PTSD
2. Describe how these alterations indicate the usefulness of certain medications
3. Report the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of different medications for PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Goals and Objectives
PTSD 101 Beyond the Basics
PTSD 101 Beyond the Basics
Looking for more detailed information about treating PTSD? These courses explore advanced topics.
Advanced Clinical Practice
Deepen your understanding of PTSD treatment with advanced courses taught by expert clinicians.
Recommendations for Acute Stress Management and Prevention of PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/acute_stress/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1566&courseCode=PTSD101_watson_pfa
VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline Series (2010)
The course, Recommendations for Acute Stress Management and Prevention of PTSD, provides an overview of the Clinical Practice Guideline for acute stress management and prevention of PTSD. The author reviews the literature supporting interventions for acute stress and describes two specific protocols: Psychological First Aid and Stress First Aid.
Author: Patricia Watson, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Summarize the recommendations in the VA DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD (2010) for management of acute stress and prevention of PTSD
2. Describe the evidence-informed principles underlying the intervention strategies of Psychological First Aid and Stress First Aid
3. Describe the basic objectives and intervention strategies of Psychological First Aid and Stress First Aid
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Cognitive Processing Therapy http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/CPT/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1568&courseCode=PTSD101_cpt
VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline Series (2010)
This presentation provides an overview of the 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for Cognitive Processing Therapy as a Level A psychotherapy intervention for PTSD.
The author carefully reviews the research support for Cognitive Processing Therapy and provides information about delivering the treatment.
Author: Kathleen Chard, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Summarize the VA/DoD 2010 Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD related to Cognitive Processing Therapy
2. Review the empirical evidence supporting Cognitive Processing Therapy
3. Describe and demonstrate the clinical application of Cognitive Processing Therapy
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/prolonged_exposure/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1521&courseCode=PTSD101_pe
VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline Series (2010)
This presentation describes the clinical application of Prolonged Exposure (PE) and provides a thorough review of research supporting its use for PTSD.
The author also reviews the 2010 VA/DoD Guideline recommendation for the use of PE with patients who have PTSD.
Author: Sheila Rauch, PhD, ABPP
Goals and Objectives
1. Summarize the Veteran's Affairs / Department of Defense (DoD) 2010 Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD related to Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
2. Review the empirical evidence supporting PE
3. Describe and demonstrate the clinical application of PE
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Stress Inoculation Training http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/emdr/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1533&courseCode=PTSD101_emdr-sit
VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline Series (2010)
The purpose of this course is to review the VA/DoD 2010 clinical practice guideline recommendations regarding EMDR and SIT for PTSD.
The presenter provides an overview of the components of each treatment and presents the research evidence behind these models for PTSD.
Author: Joe Ruzek, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Summarize the 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for EMDR and SIT
2. Describe EMDR and the research literature supporting its use for PTSD
3. Describe SIT and the research literature supporting its use for PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
Increasing Effectiveness of PTSD Treatments http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/PTSD_Treatment/player.html
This course addresses how to increase the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments for PTSD, particularly in difficult cases and situations. The author presents how to decide who is appropriate for evidence-based treatment using assessment. She discusses common barriers to effective delivery of PTSD treatment and provides solutions to overcome these barriers.
Author: Kathleen M. Chard, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Understand the limitations of evidence-based therapy for PTSD
2. Identify and address potential treatment-interfering behaviors
3. Develop strategies for managing complex cases
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Overcoming Barriers http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/downloads/audio/murphy-rosen_barriers_a.zip
The course Overcoming Barriers to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Treatment Engagement reviews strategies for improving PTSD patients' motivation to engage in treatment and to change long-standing maladaptive ways of coping with PTSD symptoms. Topics reviewed include behaviors that PTSD patients are often ambivalent about changing, roadblocks to admitting need to change, overview of a PTSD motivation enhancement group, treatment-related beliefs (fears and expectancies), and therapeutic alliance factors.
Author: Ronald Murphy, PhD (biography unavailable) and Craig Rosen, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Identify reasons why patients may be reluctant to change long-standing behaviors
2. Outline key elements of the PTSD Motivation Enhancement Group
3. Articulate common differences between clients' and therapists' perspectives and assumptions that may impede effective treatment
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Couples and PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/couples_therapy/player.html
This presentation provides an overview of the research documenting the association between PTSD and intimate relationship problems.
The rationale and methods for including partners and loved ones in the assessment and treatment of PTSD are also discussed.
Author: Candice Monson, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Review research documenting association between PTSD and intimate relationship problems
2. Discuss inclusion of partners in the assessment of PTSD and relationship functioning
3. Review different methods of incorporating significant others in PTSD treatment
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Group Treatment for PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/group/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1527&courseCode=PTSD101_group
This presentation describes the clinical application of group therapy for PTSD and carefully evaluates the research support for group therapy.
The authors also review the recommendations provided by the 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD regarding the use of group therapy for PTSD.
Author: Denise M. Sloan, PhD and Tracie Shea, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe group therapy for PTSD
2. Describe the important methodological factors to consider when evaluating clinical trial research on group treatment for PTSD
3. Evaluate the available research for group treatment
4. Review the 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for group treatment for PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/ACTherapy/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1468&courseCode=PTSD101_act
The purpose of this PTSD 101 course is to describe the theoretical underpinnings and clinical application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as it could be applied to PTSD.
The presenters also describe the limited empirical support for delivering ACT to persons with PTSD and discuss the need for more research.
Author: Robyn Walser, PhD and Sonja Batten, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Overview and theoretical underpinnings
2. Review the state of the evidence
3. Explore the six core processes used in ACT and introduce their clinical application
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
PTSD 101 Comorbidities and Complications
PTSD 101 Comorbidities and Complications
The presence of co-occurring conditions can increase the complexity of treating patients with PTSD. These courses address conditions that commonly go hand-in-hand with PTSD.
Anger, Aggression and PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/Anger/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1505&courseCode=PTSD101_anger
This course provides a review of the literature that describes the prevalence of anger and aggression in patients with PTSD and the interaction between anger and PTSD symptoms.
The author reviews the 2010 VA/DoD Guideline for treating anger and PTSD and describes a clinical application.
Author: Casey Taft, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Understand the association between PTSD and anger/aggression
2. Review the 2010 VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for treating anger and PTSD
3. Describe a clinical application for Anger, Aggression, and PTSD: Strength at Home
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Functional Impairment and PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/functional_impairment/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1534&courseCode=PTSD101_functional-impairment
In this PTSD 101 course, the presenter aims to help providers understand the interaction between PTSD and functional impairment and make informed decisions when choosing assessment measures.
The course also reviews the VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline (2010) recommendations for assessing functional impairment in people with PTSD.
Author: Brian P. Marx, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Understand how PTSD impacts quality of life
2. Identify the VA/DoD 2010 Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for assessing PTSD-related functional impairment
3. Examine measures that assess psychosocial functioning among those with PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
Managing PTSD and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/SUD/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1556&courseCode=PTSD101_sud
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the VA/DoD 2010 clinical practice guideline recommendations for managing substance use disorders and PTSD through psychotherapy and pharmacology.
The presenters describe the co-occurrence of these conditions and identify evidence-based assessment and treatment strategies.
Author: Daniel Kivlahan, PhD and Debra Kaysen, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Review evidence on co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and PTSD
2. Identify key recommendations for integrated psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy treatment of SUD and PTSD from the VA/DoD 2010 PTSD Guideline
3. Identify measures and methods for treatment monitoring related to PTSD and SUD
4. Illustrate ways of addressing substance abuse in PTSD treatment
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
Physical Health Effects http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/downloads/audio/schnurr_physical_health_a.zip
The course Physical Health Effects of Traumatic Exposure provides a review of the physical health effects of traumatic exposure. Research findings from both civilian and military populations are featured. The author illustrates how a person's reaction--PTSD especially--mediates the effect of exposure and that there are plausible mechanisms through which PTSD could promote health.
Author: Paula P. Schnurr, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Report the effects of trauma on physical health
2. Relate the latest research findings related to the effects of traumatic exposure on the health of civilians and military Veterans
3. Predict plausible mechanisms through which PTSD could promote poor health
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Sleep Problems, Insomnia, and PTSD http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/sleep/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1535&courseCode=PTSD101_sleep
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the VA/DoD 2010 clinical practice guideline recommendations for managing sleep problems and PTSD.
The presenters describe primary sleep disorders and comorbid conditions, as well as a general approach and evidence-based pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy interventions to treat these issues.
Author(s): Bruce Capehart, MD, MBA, and Jason DeViva, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Review the 2010 VA/DoD PTSD Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations for medical management of insomnia
2. Identify three comorbid conditions and three primary sleep disorders likely to affect sleep in Veterans with PTSD
3. Describe the evidence base for three pharmacotherapies and three psychotherapies in the treatment of sleep problems related to PTSD
4. Describe a general approach to assessing and treating sleep problems associated with PTSD
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Coming soon.
Integrated Smoking Cessation and PTSD Treatment http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/smoking_cessation/Player/launchPlayer.html?courseID=1484&courseCode=PTSD101-10
This presentation is meant to provide an overview of the negative effects of smoking, particularly on Veterans with PTSD, and to help providers understand the rationale for providing tobacco cessation treatment to patients.
The authors describe the rationale and evidence for integrating smoking cessation into PTSD treatment and provide an overview of psychological and pharmacological interventions.
Author: Miles McFall, PhD and Andrew J. Saxon, MD
Goals and Objectives
1. Provide a rationale for tobacco cessation as a health care priority for Veterans with PTSD
2. Understand the reasons and evidence for an integrated care approach for smoking cessation among smokers with PTSD
3. Describe psychological and pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Traumatic Brain Injury http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/TBI/player.html
The course Windows to the Brain: Neuropsychiatry of TBI examines the functional anatomy of emotion, memory, and behavior circuits, using graphics and figures. The author discusses types of injuries and common functioning deficits, as well as prevalence rates of TBI in OEF/OIF veterans. A discussion of PTSD and TBI is also provided, as well as an overview of assessment and treatment.
Author: Robin A. Hurley, MD, FANPA
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe the functional anatomy of emotion, memory, and behavior circuits
2. Report common functioning deficits in civilian brain injury
3. Describe up-to-date assessment and treatment of TBI
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
PTSD 101 Specific Populations - Military Issues
PTSD 101 Specific Populations - Military Issues
Combat Stress Injuries http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/downloads/audio/nash_combat_stress_a.zip
The course Combat Stress Injuries examines the common stressors of operational military deployments, from the merely annoying through the potentially devastating, and places such experiences in their context defined by military cultural values and identity. The normal process of adaptation to stress is described, and it is contrasted with the injuries that can be inflicted on the mind and brain when adaptive capacities are exceeded. The three major mechanisms of stress injury are listed, and the effects of one of them (traumatic stress) are described in detail.
Author: William P. Nash, MD
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe the major stressors of combat and operational military deployments, and of subsequent homecoming
2. Describe the two main reasons for the gap between relatively frequent adverse stress responses during deployment and relatively mental health diagnosis and treatment after deployment
3. Describe the three tactics of normal adaptation to stress, and the normal time course for adaptation and re-adaptation
4. Describe the differences between normal adaptive responses to stress and those that are symptomatic of a stress injury, and list the three common mechanisms of stress injury
5. Describe the major components of traumatic stress injuries, and the nature of the biological and psychosocial damage such injuries entail
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Understanding Military Culture http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/ptsd101/flash-files/Military_Culture/player.html
Understanding military culture is important when treating Veterans. This course presents important information regarding military demographics, branches, rank, status, and stressors. The author provides useful terminology and visuals to help the viewer understand military culture.
Two programs created to help service members prevent and manage combat and operational stress are also described, Army Battlemind and Marine Corps Combat Operational Stress Continuum. Finally, additional Army and Marine Corps interventions are discussed, as well as assessment and treatment implications for clinicians.
Author: Patricia J. Watson, PhD
Goals and Objectives
1. Describe military terms and demographics
2. Discuss stressors in the military
3. Report programs offered by DoD relevant to combat and operational stress
4. Describe implications of military culture for clinicians
Continuing Education (CE) Credits: Read the brochure (PDF) required for this course, which lists specialties that may receive credit. See more on CE Credits.
Peter MacKay At A Loss To Explain How He Plans To Break Bureaucratic Logjam Over Forced Moves For Military Families
Peter MacKay At A Loss To Explain How He Plans To Break Bureaucratic Logjam Over Forced Moves For Military Families
Lee Berthiaume of Postmedia has this story:
Defence Minister Peter MacKay on Wednesday defended steps taken by National Defence to ensure military families aren’t being forced to swallow huge financial losses after being ordered to move to new cities and bases.
But MacKay didn’t explain how he planned to break the bureaucratic logjam that has left dozens of military families out in the cold, prompting opposition questions about the government’s interest in helping those in need.
Canada’s military ombudsman, Peter Daigle, told the Ottawa Citizen in a recent interview that National Defence has a backlog of about 212 complaints for the military’s grievance process, with the majority related to forced moves.
Read more: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/life/MacKay+defends+military+family+compensation/7896916/story.html#ixzz2JYZ75fWL