post-deployment case study pcp version 061014. veterans health administration case study tina, a...

Post-Deployment Case Study

PCP version 061014

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Case Study

Tina, a 24-year-old Caucasian female Army reservist, presents for a new patient visit to your clinic. She just returned from deployment 6 months ago and is new to the VHA system.

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Q1: As a recently returned Veteran, what key questions would you ask at this initial meeting?

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• What brought her to the VHA? • Has she connected with the OIF/OEF case management

team? • Has she been informed of the time-sensitive access she

has immediately upon return (e.g., dental, etc.)?

Q1: As a recently returned Veteran, what key questions would you ask at this initial meeting?

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Case Study (continued)

Tina tells you that she is new to the VHA, but has already met with an OEF/OIF case manager. Her biggest health concern is that she has been having trouble sleeping.

As you query Tina’s family history, she reveals that she grew up in a rural farming town in California. She is the oldest of three daughters. Her father, a truck driver, passed away in a work-related accident when she was 9 years old. Her mother has been working at a local elementary school since his death. Tina joined the military at age 19 after completing her GED.

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Q2: Based on this family history, what are Tina’s psychosocial risk factors?

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Q2: Based on this family history, what are Tina’s psychosocial risk factors?

• Loss of her father − What were the circumstances surrounding the accident?

• Coping− How did she learn to cope? Does she engage in risk-taking

behavior? What about substance use? • Why did she choose to complete a GED vs. attend high

school?

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Table Discussion

What do you want to know about Tina’s deployment history?

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• Where was she deployed?• What did she do while deployed?• Any injuries or health issues sustained during

deployment?– Trauma (combat, MST)– Exposures, fumes– Blasts, TBI, embedded fragments– Caffeine, tobacco, alcohol use

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Discussion Points


Tina was deployed to Iraq in August, 2004. Her responsibilities included driving a truck for transporting equipment and supplies. She often drove the truck in hostile territories. She was the only female in her unit. She was stationed in Iraq for 12 months and has recently returned to California. She mentions being near a blast that tipped her truck over though denies any personal injury, including embedded fragments, from this accident.


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What are her deployment risk factors?

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Table Discussion

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 12

• Extreme temperatures• Heavy gear• Driving long distances• Moving heavy equipment • Hygiene issues• Combat exposure• Interactions with male counterpartsNote: She was a truck driver, like her father. This might

have increased her sense of danger and risk.

Discussion Points


Q3: What would you like to know about her post-deployment life?

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Q3: What would you like to know about her post-deployment life?

• What is her current military status/potential for redeployment?

• What is her living situation?• What is her social support system?• Is she in school? Working?• How is she adjusting to civilian life?

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Tina has been home for about a year and is staying with her sister. She is in the reserves, but does not think she will be redeployed since there are members of her reserve unit who have not yet been deployed. She is taking some college courses online and is interested in forensics.


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What are Tina’s post-deployment risk factors?

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Table Discussion


• How stable is her living situation?• How stable are her finances?• Why is she taking college courses online vs. attending

classes in person?

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Discussion Points


Tina states that she had no health issues prior to deployment. Her family history is negative for any significant medical conditions. She denies any fevers, rashes, or GI complaints including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Her depression, substance use, MST, and PTSD post-deployment screens are negative.

Tina complains of sleep disruption (difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep), headaches, and irritability.


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Q4: How would you address Tina’s chief complaints?

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• Explore presence of TBI symptoms:– Memory problems?– Difficulty concentrating?– Headaches, loss of balance, dizziness?– Sleep problems?– Fatigue, irritability?

• Consider referral for TBI consultation• Discuss basic symptom management for her sleep

disruptions, headaches, and irritability

Q4: How would you address Tina’s chief complaints?

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Summary: Addressing Post-Deployment Issues in Primary Care• Patients are likely to first present in primary care. This is an

important opportunity for:– Early detection – Risk reduction– Addressing mind and body health– Facilitating referrals

• Employ a screening pattern:– Pre-military life– Military experiences– Post-deployment experiences– Adjustment process vs. adjustment disorder– Substance use and disordered eating patterns

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post-deployment case study pcp version 061014. veterans health administration case study tina, a...

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