RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: to measure the perceptions of military staff of the impact of wearing military uniform on the therapeutic relationship with mental health clients. METHOD: a brief questionnaire was distributed to all military clinicians in Departments of Community Mental Health to measure their attitudes. RESULTS: there was a 67.9% (n=70) response rate regarding the impact of uniform on the therapeutic relationship. 20% of responses were positive, 31% negative, 37% mixed and 12% gave no answer. CONCLUSION: there was no clear pre-existing literature on this issue. Overall, the wearing of uniform appeared to be perceived positively positive. There is a need to assess clients' points of view in future studies.
Assuntos
Hierarquia Social , Transtornos Mentais/terapia , Serviços de Saúde Mental/organização & administração , Militares/psicologia , Psiquiatria Militar/organização & administração , Relações Médico-Paciente , Classe Social , Pesquisas sobre Atenção à Saúde , Humanos , Percepção , Testes Psicológicos , Psicometria , Inquéritos e Questionários , Reino UnidoRESUMO
Questionnaires were completed by military personnel on arrival (n=1,696) in Kabul, Afghanistan and then again on departure (n=1,134). Analysis of the 113 personnel who completed both the arrivals and departures questionnaire revealed a lower alcohol use score after deployment (AUDIT mean difference (post-deployment - pre-deployment) = -0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = - 1.25 - +0.47) and no significant change to mental health (GHQ mean difference = 0.55, 95% CI = -0.07 - +1.17). An increase in psychosomatic symptoms (GHQ A mean difference = 0.22, 95% CI = -0.03 - +0.47) is considered to result from the adverse conditions, but it is not supported by other mental ill health markers. In conclusion, there appeared to be no negative effect on mental health from deployment to Afghanistan.