Understanding Women's Transitions from Military to Department of Veterans Affairs Care.
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
; 33(9): 1185-1197, 2024 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38836756
ABSTRACT
Background:
Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of women have served in the military, with women now comprising 17.3% of active-duty personnel and 21.4% of National Guard and reserves. During military service, women often incur painful musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries related to carrying heavy loads and wearing ill-fitting gear. While women may receive initial care for these injuries under the auspices of the Department of Defense (DoD), these injuries often linger and further treatment in required as women transition to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care. However, little is known about this transition process, and whether women are given adequate information and support regarding how to access VA care after their military service has ended. ResearchDesign:
To better understand these issues, we interviewed 65 women veterans with military service-related MSK injuries about their transition from DoD to VA care.Results:
Six major themes emerged from the interviews. Those themes were (1) Military injuries are often related to ill-fitting gear or carrying heavy loads; (2) Stigma/discrimination related to military injuries; (3) Limited assistance with transition between DoD and VA to manage ongoing injuries and pain; (4) Women have a difficult time managing perceptions and expectations of their weight after military service; (5) Childcare is a substantial burden for veterans in self-care; and (6) veterans desire peer-support services to help them stay healthy.Conclusions:
Based on these findings, DoD and VA should continue to work together to develop programs to educate and support women as they transition from military to VA care. Furthermore, VA should consider developing peer support programs for women Veterans who may require additional support to maintain health, especially among Veteran mothers who have complex family responsibilities that may limit their ability to focus on their own health.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Veterans
/
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
/
Military Personnel
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
J Womens Health (Larchmt)
/
J. womens health (Larchmt.)
/
Journal of women's health (Larchmont)
Journal subject:
GINECOLOGIA
/
SAUDE DA MULHER
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos
Country of publication:
Estados Unidos