Our Interview with Capt. Erik Johnson, OTR/L
What is the most common problem that you
notice with returning vets?
I think there is a huge problem with the reality of
being home. You operate in a capacity that is pretty "bad ass" and then come home to the same ol' petty problems that the typical US citizen deals with. Even if there's no diagnosed BH issue, there's still an element of "missing the high" from
being in a combat situation.
What services do you provide to vets?
We do pretty much everything. Services include: amputee, burns, polytrauma, acute and sub acute rehab, upper extremity ortho, BH, ergonomics, SCI, etc. It's pretty broad.
How do you gain their trust and connect with them?
The biggest thing is to find that common ground. I find my first couple sessions include a lot of
"getting to know them" time. If I can find that "in" then I know we'll be able to work well together. Many times, it includes video games and sports, however, you just never know. I've had guys
get excited about being from where they live and things like that. You just have to keep plugging in to
them and practice listening. Once you get that connection, the trust is never a problem.
What are the chief complaints from veterans about the services they receive
or do not receive?
Well, the biggest problem isn't really the services they receive, but the process on which they either return to duty or get out of the military. It can often be a daunting task that takes months and
even years to complete. I find that Soldiers often just want to "get on with it." It's important to keep them motivated and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So, what do you do on the job?
Well, right now I'm working in outpatient ortho (hands). I specialize in occupation base upper extremity rehab. I love splinting and enabling patients with creative fabrication. It's amazing to see their faces when I pull out my "superman blue" or "hot pink" splinting material. I also specialize in polytrauma and the "what do I do with this guy" situations. Those are my favorites. There's nothing like getting an "impossible" case and being able to change their lives through just a few OT tricks.
What are the differences between the support that soldiers receive during combat
versus when they return home?
When you're in combat, you build a family that surrounds you every day and knows you like no one else. It's hard to explain, but when you go through things together every day(and I mean every day) for an entire year, you start to see things differently with the rest of the world. You experience the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. You see your best friends cry and laugh in the same day over memories of a fallen brother. When you get home, people around you just don't get it. No matter how close you may feel to the Soldier, it's still just not something one can understand. There are a lot of programs out there that offer support, but ultimately, it's the brothers and sisters that you deploy with that can help mend wounds.
What type of role do you think that OT plays currently with soldiers and where do you think it could go in the future?
The roles that OT plays in Combat are quite essential to the wellbeing of our troops. The most known to the OT world (especially students) is the BH role. As you know, we all began as reconstruction aides during WWI and have evolved since. Still working with Combat Stress, the OTs provide a
lot of restoration and reconditioning services such as coping skill techniques, stress mgmt strategies, goal setting, coached relaxation ect. Also, there's a big recent trend to work in the TBI world in combat. Right now, we've got approximately 8 OTs working in the mTBI reconditioning centers
in Afghanistan. The need for OT right now is HUGE! We definitely have a lot of interested OTRs out there, however, the Army only allows for a certain number of slots. Right now we only have 77 OT slots in the Army and I think about 80 actual OTs. Every once in a while, we get permission to go over a bit.
When do you feel like you've been successful with a client, and what helps you feel that way?
Success with a military client depends on the patients goals. If I can look back and see that we've gotten to a place they may not have anticipated, then it's a successful attempt.
What are the most effective ways to treat PTSD from an OT perspective?
It's all about encouragement and re-focusing the patient. I love to use goal setting and interest inventories. If you can get a patient to start being excited about the future, then they have a reason to
forget about some of the things that are holding them back.
How does PTSD affect occupational performance and function?
Well, the biggest thing is the lack of desire to enjoy life as they once did. Perspective changes so much for these guys once they are exposed to that traumatic event.
Is there anything else that you think it's important for us to know about this issue?
The biggest thing is that there's no right answer for every person. There are a lot of right answers, just not the same one for each Service Member. The biggest task to overcome is to find that right answer
for each individual.
Thank you, Capt. Johnson!
From personal communication with CPT Erik S. Johnson, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Pager: 1052011
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda
8901 Wisconsin Ave.
America Building, OT
Bethesda, Maryland 20889
(301)400-2757
notice with returning vets?
I think there is a huge problem with the reality of
being home. You operate in a capacity that is pretty "bad ass" and then come home to the same ol' petty problems that the typical US citizen deals with. Even if there's no diagnosed BH issue, there's still an element of "missing the high" from
being in a combat situation.
What services do you provide to vets?
We do pretty much everything. Services include: amputee, burns, polytrauma, acute and sub acute rehab, upper extremity ortho, BH, ergonomics, SCI, etc. It's pretty broad.
How do you gain their trust and connect with them?
The biggest thing is to find that common ground. I find my first couple sessions include a lot of
"getting to know them" time. If I can find that "in" then I know we'll be able to work well together. Many times, it includes video games and sports, however, you just never know. I've had guys
get excited about being from where they live and things like that. You just have to keep plugging in to
them and practice listening. Once you get that connection, the trust is never a problem.
What are the chief complaints from veterans about the services they receive
or do not receive?
Well, the biggest problem isn't really the services they receive, but the process on which they either return to duty or get out of the military. It can often be a daunting task that takes months and
even years to complete. I find that Soldiers often just want to "get on with it." It's important to keep them motivated and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
So, what do you do on the job?
Well, right now I'm working in outpatient ortho (hands). I specialize in occupation base upper extremity rehab. I love splinting and enabling patients with creative fabrication. It's amazing to see their faces when I pull out my "superman blue" or "hot pink" splinting material. I also specialize in polytrauma and the "what do I do with this guy" situations. Those are my favorites. There's nothing like getting an "impossible" case and being able to change their lives through just a few OT tricks.
What are the differences between the support that soldiers receive during combat
versus when they return home?
When you're in combat, you build a family that surrounds you every day and knows you like no one else. It's hard to explain, but when you go through things together every day(and I mean every day) for an entire year, you start to see things differently with the rest of the world. You experience the highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. You see your best friends cry and laugh in the same day over memories of a fallen brother. When you get home, people around you just don't get it. No matter how close you may feel to the Soldier, it's still just not something one can understand. There are a lot of programs out there that offer support, but ultimately, it's the brothers and sisters that you deploy with that can help mend wounds.
What type of role do you think that OT plays currently with soldiers and where do you think it could go in the future?
The roles that OT plays in Combat are quite essential to the wellbeing of our troops. The most known to the OT world (especially students) is the BH role. As you know, we all began as reconstruction aides during WWI and have evolved since. Still working with Combat Stress, the OTs provide a
lot of restoration and reconditioning services such as coping skill techniques, stress mgmt strategies, goal setting, coached relaxation ect. Also, there's a big recent trend to work in the TBI world in combat. Right now, we've got approximately 8 OTs working in the mTBI reconditioning centers
in Afghanistan. The need for OT right now is HUGE! We definitely have a lot of interested OTRs out there, however, the Army only allows for a certain number of slots. Right now we only have 77 OT slots in the Army and I think about 80 actual OTs. Every once in a while, we get permission to go over a bit.
When do you feel like you've been successful with a client, and what helps you feel that way?
Success with a military client depends on the patients goals. If I can look back and see that we've gotten to a place they may not have anticipated, then it's a successful attempt.
What are the most effective ways to treat PTSD from an OT perspective?
It's all about encouragement and re-focusing the patient. I love to use goal setting and interest inventories. If you can get a patient to start being excited about the future, then they have a reason to
forget about some of the things that are holding them back.
How does PTSD affect occupational performance and function?
Well, the biggest thing is the lack of desire to enjoy life as they once did. Perspective changes so much for these guys once they are exposed to that traumatic event.
Is there anything else that you think it's important for us to know about this issue?
The biggest thing is that there's no right answer for every person. There are a lot of right answers, just not the same one for each Service Member. The biggest task to overcome is to find that right answer
for each individual.
Thank you, Capt. Johnson!
From personal communication with CPT Erik S. Johnson, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Pager: 1052011
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda
8901 Wisconsin Ave.
America Building, OT
Bethesda, Maryland 20889
(301)400-2757