Post Deployment Care for Returning Combat Veterans

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VA medical article discusses specialized Iraq and Afghanistan veteran health care needs

June 13, 2012 - Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians offer a comprehensive review of the health concerns of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and practical management guidelines for primary care providers in an article entitled Post Deployment Care for Returning Combat Veterans, and published in Journal of General Internal Medicine (JGIM).

“We at VA are always seeking ways to improve the quality of health care we provide to our Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “This article provides valuable insight into the fastest-growing segment of the Veteran population at a time they are currently returning from combat.”

Since September 11, 2001, approximately 2.4 million military personnel have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. The health care needs of this particular patient population are complex, and require a well integrated interdisciplinary approach to care.

The article, written by Juliette F. Spelman, MD; Stephen C. Hunt, MD, MPH; Karen H. Seal, MD, MPH; and Lucile Burgo-Black, MD, reviews how combat deployments can impact the physical, psychological, and social health of Veterans and describes their unique health care needs. This includes the need for assessment and management of injuries associated with blast exposures (including mild traumatic brain injury) as well as mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse.

Other important health concerns discussed include chronic musculoskeletal pain, medically unexplained symptoms, complications from environmental exposures, heightened suicide risk, sleep disturbances, and impairments in family, occupational and social functioning. read more>>>