Since civilian docs don't understand us, what would you want to make sure these docs know about military culture?

2015-04-23T22:35:25-04:00

The NH Senate Commission on PTSD is rolling out military culture training since most NH Vets get care at civilian providers. I'd like to know what you think I should make sure is included in our training.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 23 at 2015 10:47 PM

2015-04-23T22:47:55-04:00

The dual stress experienced by the deployed SM and the significant other at home, especially when they have kids. Very hard to explain what is rattling around in both heads not to mention the stress of worrying about job & family from 2 separate perspectives.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Apr 23 at 2015 11:06 PM

2015-04-23T23:06:59-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, just my 2 cents, but I think the statement that "civilian docs don't understand us" is a bit too broad. Yes, they don't understand our perspective on certain things and possibly some of the situations we deal with that the average civilian doesn't, but some, and I mean a small some, of them do understand us better than you think. I had botched surgery from military doctors and was put back together again - physically and mentally by my primary care physician and the specialists he recommended. Granted this is probably not a common occurrence.

I've been with my current psychologist almost 10 years and she has proved herself time and again by finding a way to relate military based issues to civilian equivalents. Even though I retired in 2009 she knows that I still relate a lot to my former career and has found ways to keep that part of my life relevant to issues post-military that I see her for.

Its all in the approach and the willingness of health care providers to reach out to us.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-04-23T23:26:25-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, take a look at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), http://www.dcoe.mil/blog/15-01-29/Military_Doctors_Help_Civilian_Therapists_Understand_Service_Culture.aspx

The APA put together a brief on clinical implications for civilian/VA providers:
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/military/military-culture.pdf

RP had a discussion on it: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/rand-civilian-mental-health-providers-don-t-get-the-military?page=2&urlhash=338522#338522

Military Doctors Help Civilian Therapists Understand Service Culture

The military is a distinctive culture. Understanding this culture is critical for effective mental health care services and outcomes. Civilian psychological health providers have an unfamiliar new clientele: service members, and their families, who are coming home after a decade of war. Although...

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Apr 24 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-04-24T09:38:57-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member I have some specific ideas and a unique perspective on this issue. I will try to hit you up on the global today. If you haven't heard from me by COB today, please ping me there so I don't forget about it over the weekend.

The biggest one that I'll offer here, and I'll be imprecise because I need to get out of the door, is the "macho"/"Can Do"/Don't show weakness culture of the military makes it very difficult for many Vets to understand/acknowledge that they have an issue. It also makes many of the worst sufferers tend to under endorse symptoms. At the same time, it also undermines any support networks the Vet might have, as does the transitory nature of relationships most military personnel have, due to the constant moving of yourself and others.

The military has been trying to fix these issues over the last decade or so, and has been successful as it has been, but whatever that level of success is, it is well below 100%.