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Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hyatt, K; Davis, LL; Barroso, J
Published in: Military medicine
August 2014

One of the most common, yet most difficult to detect injuries sustained by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Left untreated, mTBI can negatively impact soldiers' postdeployment adjustment. This research describes the rehabilitation experiences of soldiers with a history of mTBI and their spouses.Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated in the study. A total of 27 interviews were conducted exploring couples' post-mTBI rehabilitation experiences. Participants consisted of active duty soldiers with mTBI who had returned from deployment within 2 years, and their civilian spouses. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyze the data.The majority of the soldiers and spouses who participated (16/18) indicated that uncertain prognosis and symptom management were the greatest challenges of post-mTBI. Other challenges, such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to mental health care, and difficulty navigating an unfamiliar military health care system was also reported.Because of mTBI's lack of visible manifestation, soldiers may confuse their mTBI symptoms with those of other deployment-related injuries and this leads to a delay in treatment. Future research should explore the standardization of post-mTBI rehabilitation programs and the effectiveness of soldier education to promote early detection and treatment.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Military medicine

DOI

EISSN

1930-613X

ISSN

0026-4075

Publication Date

August 2014

Volume

179

Issue

8

Start / End Page

849 / 855

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • United States
  • Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
  • Spouses
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Navigation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Military Personnel
  • Mental Health Services
  • Male
 

Citation

APA
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Hyatt, K., Davis, L. L., & Barroso, J. (2014). Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury. Military Medicine, 179(8), 849–855. https://doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-13-00526
Hyatt, Kyong, Linda L. Davis, and Julie Barroso. “Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury.Military Medicine 179, no. 8 (August 2014): 849–55. https://doi.org/10.7205/milmed-d-13-00526.
Hyatt K, Davis LL, Barroso J. Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury. Military medicine. 2014 Aug;179(8):849–55.
Hyatt, Kyong, et al. “Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury.Military Medicine, vol. 179, no. 8, Aug. 2014, pp. 849–55. Epmc, doi:10.7205/milmed-d-13-00526.
Hyatt K, Davis LL, Barroso J. Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury. Military medicine. 2014 Aug;179(8):849–855.

Published In

Military medicine

DOI

EISSN

1930-613X

ISSN

0026-4075

Publication Date

August 2014

Volume

179

Issue

8

Start / End Page

849 / 855

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • United States
  • Strategic, Defence & Security Studies
  • Spouses
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Patient Navigation
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Military Personnel
  • Mental Health Services
  • Male