Authors: Howard, Michael D.; Cox, Ruth P.

Source: Military Medicine, Volume 173, Number 4, April 2008 , pp. 339-348(10)

Publisher: AMSUS - Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Abstract:

Involvement in combat imposes a psychological burden that affects all combatants, not only those who are vulnerable to emotional disorders or those who sustain physical wound distress. This burden of combat is also carried by the families of those who go to war. Although most ground combat units have a medical officer as well as a chaplain assigned to them, they do not have a mental health counselor or psychologist. Traditionally, the medical officer focuses on the treatment of physical symptoms, diseases, and physical injuries, whereas the chaplain treats spiritual and adjustment issues that may affect how well an individual service member functions personally and/or professionally. Located between these two points is a void, the treatment of psychological or emotional issues. By using the collaborative intervention model presented here, unit medical officers and chaplains can work together to treat these issues, thus reducing the number of service members needing referral to mental health agencies, decreasing the number of mental health-related medical separations, and increasing overall mission readiness. This article presents a model whereby medical officers and chaplains can enter this void together, treating these emotional issues collaboratively.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2008-04-01

More about this publication?

• Military Medicine is the Association's official monthly journal. The objective of the Journal is to promote awareness of Federal medicine by providing a forum for responsible discussion of common ideas and problems relevant to Federal healthcare. Its mission is: To increase healthcare education by providing scientific and other information to its readers; to facilitate communication; and to offer a prestige publication for members' writings.
  
  Military Medicine's 5-year Impact Factor: 1.061
  
  
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