Military medicine
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There are approximately 1.5 million U.S. military-dependent children. However, little is known about mental health referrals for these youths. This study sought to examine the type of mental health treatment referrals made by primary care providers for child military-dependent beneficiaries receiving care in the direct (within Military Treatment Facilities) and private care (civilian-fee-for service facilities) sectors of the Military Health System. ⋯ For attention- and mood-related disorders, but not anxiety- or conduct-related disorders, direct care providers were more likely than private sector care providers to prescribe psychotropic medications. Inconsistencies of provider referrals within and outside of the Military Health System should be elucidated to determine the impact on outcomes.
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The diversity of the cutaneous manifestations of syphilis and the ability of the spirochete to evade diagnosis have been well documented by medical literature. However, what triggers the onset of secondary syphilis is not yet clear because of difficulties studying the bacterium. ⋯ The potential etiologies of the patient's rash: A vaccine reaction, reactivation of chronic spontaneous urticaria, or a physical sign of syphilis itself are then reviewed. The potential for the Moderna coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine to be the catalyst of this patient's cutaneous manifestations of his immune system responses is also hypothesized.
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Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) have been suggested for use in measuring treatment effectiveness. To minimize patient burden, two approaches have been proposed: An orthopedic-specific Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) or computer adaptive testing methods such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). The goal of this work was to examine the constructs measured by the SANE and PROMIS system in a military orthopedic population undergoing knee surgery. ⋯ In a knee surgical population, the SANE, PROMIS Physical Function, and PROMIS Pain Interference measure the same human dimension of physical capability; however, PROMIS Physical Function and Pain Interference may measure this construct more effectively in isolation. The SANE may be a more viable option to gauge physical capability when computer adaptive testing is not possible.
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Return-to-duty (RTD) readiness assessment for service members (SM) following concussion requires complex clinical considerations. The Portable Warrior Test of Tactical Agility (POWAR-TOTAL) is a functional assessment which improves on previous laboratory-based RTD assessments. ⋯ The POWAR-TOTAL is a clinically feasible, military relevant assessment that is sensitive to differences between concussed and HC SM. This analysis supports the discriminant and construct validity of the POWAR-TOTAL, and may be useful for medical providers evaluating RTD readiness for SM who have sustained a concussion.
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Disease non-battle injuries (DNBIs) are responsible for the majority of hospital admissions for soldiers in combat since the Vietnam War The U.S. Army prepares soldiers to deploy through a multistage process known as the Soldier Readiness Program (SRP). The current processes are reactive and address deployment-limiting health conditions (DLHCs) and the need for intervention and/or medical waivers late in the SRP process. This may compromise the quality and efficiency of pre-deployment medical clearance and result in DNBI medical evacuation from theater, which is costly and reduces the effectiveness of the unit. Implementation of a proactive and standardized screening process focused on behavioral health-related medical evacuations and psychotropic medication use will facilitate timely and effective interventions to improve readiness. ⋯ The DLM surveillance measures were successfully incorporated into the SRP process to proactively screen for DLHCs. Early identification of DLHCs allowed for proper identification of medical intervention and/or waiver needs and may decrease deployment complications. This process may help to improve a soldier's deployability and improve overall readiness of the IBCT.