Combat Issues and Occupational Therapy: Executive Summary
Soldiers have a dangerous job. They are exposed to extreme workplace hazards and mental stress. They also often struggle with readjusting to civilian life, whether from a physical injury or from emotional distress.
Over the last ten years, the United States has been involved in multiple and ongoing violent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, sending a new generation of its soldiers into perilous conditions.
Negative consequences of combat include traumatic brain injury, limb amputations and other injuries of the extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and risk of suicide. All have a drastic impact on occupational function and participation. Armed with its practice framework, the field of occupational therapy is uniquely equipped to address the needs of injured soldiers who have difficulty performing their basic daily activities, managing work, education, or family roles, sleeping, or simply enjoying life.
Occupational therapists work with other health professionals to assess, treat, and restore function to soldiers so they can return to duty or to new civilian roles and maintain health and well-being. OTs educate military personnel how to manage activities necessary for maintaining a household, cope with triggers to prevent anxiety or anger or how to manage health conditions associated with their injuries, develop or regain the skills and strategies necessary for them return to their military roles or transition into civilian life, and modify the home environment.
As a group, we decided to focus our exploration of combat related issues on PTSD because of its emerging prevalence and high visibility in popular culture. We also decided to focus on mild TBI because it is an emerging area of practice and research with significant implications for the active-duty soldier.
We have also presented some current policies that AOTA is advocating in Congress in order to promote effective and innovative care for soldiers and veterans. We have also touched on some quality-of-life research related to volunteerism and promoting an ongoing sense of mission and
well-being.
Over the last ten years, the United States has been involved in multiple and ongoing violent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, sending a new generation of its soldiers into perilous conditions.
Negative consequences of combat include traumatic brain injury, limb amputations and other injuries of the extremities, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and risk of suicide. All have a drastic impact on occupational function and participation. Armed with its practice framework, the field of occupational therapy is uniquely equipped to address the needs of injured soldiers who have difficulty performing their basic daily activities, managing work, education, or family roles, sleeping, or simply enjoying life.
Occupational therapists work with other health professionals to assess, treat, and restore function to soldiers so they can return to duty or to new civilian roles and maintain health and well-being. OTs educate military personnel how to manage activities necessary for maintaining a household, cope with triggers to prevent anxiety or anger or how to manage health conditions associated with their injuries, develop or regain the skills and strategies necessary for them return to their military roles or transition into civilian life, and modify the home environment.
As a group, we decided to focus our exploration of combat related issues on PTSD because of its emerging prevalence and high visibility in popular culture. We also decided to focus on mild TBI because it is an emerging area of practice and research with significant implications for the active-duty soldier.
We have also presented some current policies that AOTA is advocating in Congress in order to promote effective and innovative care for soldiers and veterans. We have also touched on some quality-of-life research related to volunteerism and promoting an ongoing sense of mission and
well-being.