Military medicine
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The Veterans Team Recovery Integrative Immersion Process (Vet TRIIP) is a short-term multi-modality complementary, integrative immersion program for veterans with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, and related symptoms. Geared toward Veterans, active duty servicemembers, family members, and caregivers, Vet TRIIP aims to honor and empower them to create healthy, happy, and productive civilian lives. This study evaluates the program to determine its impact on the quality of life and ways to improve and develop Vet TRIIP. ⋯ Evaluative studies on organizations that support Veterans are useful to gauge the effectiveness and impact. Through this study, Veterans expressed perceived strengths and weaknesses of the program so further development and appropriate services will be provided. Similar studies on the impact of non-profit organizations are encouraged. Vet TRIIP significantly impacts the lives of many through stress and pain reduction, potentially preventing suicide.
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Speech recognition (SR) uses computerized word recognition software that automatically transcribes spoken words to written text. Some studies indicate that SR may improve efficiency of electronic charting as well as associated cost and turnaround time1,2, but it remains unclear in the literature whether SR is superior to traditional transcription (TT). This study compared the impact of report generation efficiency of SR to TT at the Canadian Armed Forces Health Services Centre. ⋯ In light of these results, the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre in Ottawa has returned to use of TT because the relative inefficiency of report generation was deemed to have a greater impact on clinical care when compared to slower dictation turnaround time.
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A performance improvement project was initiated at Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) to decrease the amount of inpatient stays by military beneficiaries at civilian hospitals. Before the start of the project, the transfer process from external emergency rooms was completed by patient administration personnel and residents. This process had a median time to disposition decision of 40 minutes and led to missed opportunities for TAMC to care for military beneficiaries. The goals for the project were to have the median transfer process at less than 30 minutes from first call to time of disposition, to minimize unnecessary transfer denials, and to improve the perception of TAMC transfer process. ⋯ The improved transfer process at TAMC resulted in a decreased median time of transfer request process, increased total transfer requests, and improved relationships with local civilian hospitals. While we acknowledge that each MTF has facility and regional characteristics (such as capability, capacity, military staffing, and degree of availability of civilian healthcare resources) that may contribute to variation from TAMC, the concepts and changes made in the transfer process may be considered a best practice to be adopted by other military facilities to promote the recapture of beneficiaries into the Defense Health Agency system.
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A systems perspective was used to describe U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Global Health Engagement (GHE). This description was based on DoD instructions and higher-level documents related to DoD GHE. A complex system of systems such as health care can benefit from using modeling approaches to help understand the interactions among major components. Models (conceptual, computer-based programs, realistic simulations, or training exercises) can be used to help stakeholders prioritize options and to identify important components and gaps for making performance improvements. Based on the cited documents, we identified major DoD GHE components to create a conceptual model. ⋯ Examining the composition of DoD GHE and creating a defined model can help identify interacting features of this complex system. All of the identified components have been associated with gaps, such as the need for monitoring and measuring tools, and standards. The current state of this system is dynamic and is evolving when confronting gaps. DoD GHE represents an intersection of global health and security in supporting U.S. national security objectives by establishing access and influence with partner nations and among health care-related government and non-government organizations, and as a result, improves the readiness, health, and safety of our military personnel.
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Individuals with obesity have higher rates of mental health disorders, both singly and in combination, than individuals of normal weight. Mental health disorders may negatively impact weight loss treatment outcomes; however, little is known about the mental health burden of individuals using weight loss programs. The current study identifies common mental health diagnostic profiles among participants of MOVE!-the Veterans Health Administration's behavioral weight loss program. ⋯ Efforts to improve patients' engagement in the MOVE! program may need to address barriers to care associated with mental health disorders or incorporate care for both obesity and mental health diagnoses in MOVE! A holistic approach may be particularly important for younger patients who have a higher comorbidity burden and longer care horizons. Future work may address if patient types found in the current study extend to non-VHA obesity treatment seekers.