Traumatic Brain Injury Annotated Bibliography

Published by James Taylor

Agimi, Yll, PhD, M.P.H., M.S., Regasa, Lemma Ebssa, PhD., M.S., Ivins, B., M.P.S., Malik, S., M.D., Helmick, Katherine, MS, CRNP, A.N.P.B.C., C.N.R.N., & Marion, Donald, M.D., M.Sc. (2018). Role of Department of defense policies in identifying traumatic brain injuries among deployed US service members, 2001–2016. American Journal of Public Health, 108(5), 683-688. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304347

Agimi article examines the role played by the Department of defense in the development of policies in determining traumatic brain injuries among military officers. The report comes from research carried out on US army soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2001 to 2016. According to the report, 48172 military officers suffered TBI from their time in combat. The research was done to evaluate the changes that have occurred to the number of reported incidence of TBI since the introduction of Department of Defense policies. Currently, the Department has put in place two systems advocating for more reports on TBI incidences. These policies have resulted in a 251% increase in identification of TBI and a 97% increase in TBI implementation. Currently, post-deployment health assessment includes TBI screening questions that accounted for the 78% increase in reported incidences (Agimi et al., 2018). A report conducted by the Department of Defense in 2010, also revealed a 124%, increase in TBIs identifications among marines and 51% increase rate for sailors.

TBIs is considered a public health problem in the United States. Conventionally, TBIs is a condition that develops from sharp blows to the head that alter the brain functionality. TBIs result in deaths, disabilities, Dementia, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. A report in 2009, revealed that there were 56,000 deaths out of the 2.8 million civilians reported suffering from TBIs. Apart from civilians and veterans, army service members were also under the highest risk of suffering from TBIs. Blast-related exposure during military combats is the likely cause of high levels of TBIs diagnosis among the military. The development of service-specific policies by the defense department has resulted in the increased identification of TBIs cases from 2006 to 2013. It is thus solving the challenge of underreporting of TBIs cases. The warfare environment is quite complicated as such it is difficult to establish the extent of TBIs effects on military officers. In military conditions, soldiers are discouraged from self-reporting pain and injury as it considered a sign of weakness, this, however, increases the complexity of TBIs effects among soldiers.

Fares, J., & Fares, Y. (2018). Cluster munitions: Military use and civilian health hazards. World Health Organization.Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96(8), 584-585. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.17.202481

Fares article provides a discussion on the effects of military practices such as cluster munitions on civilian health. Wars have both sociological and psychological impact on the participants and victims. According to research, after the Lebanese war ended in 2006, there over 500 casualties civilians suffering from various severe conditions. Apart from disabilities caused by these significant injuries other civilians had to receive amputations whereas others suffered from serious wound infections that resulted in deaths. About 30% of the survivors had traumatic brain injuries and other associated syndromes such as depression, post trauma stress disorder, and post-concussion syndrome (Fares & Fares, 2018). Apart from the resultant health risks, cluster munitions also contributed to the enormous numbers of internally displaced individuals. The article reveals that as a consequence of the 2006 Lebanese war, the Red Cross and medical department of Lebanese university signed an agreement in 2015. The agreement provided a system module for clinical management and treatment of war victims.

Fares article highlights a report carried out by the World Health Organization. The article stresses the need for the international community to play an active role in providing funds for the war wounded victims. Cluster munitions are becoming a common combat technique employed by military personnel. These weapons are useful in causing mass destruction and deaths after they are launched from the air or moving vehicles to a selected location. Unfortunately, cluster munitions are known to produce the highest number of civilian casualties as well as the destruction of property. Cluster munitions create massive socio-economic, as well as environmental, lose to the government. Therefore, the military should employ appropriate tactics in using the munitions, to avoid civilian populated areas. However, since the damage exists, it is essential that survivors receive mental health treatment to handle the Traumatic brain injuries, PTSD and other psychological issues that may prevent them from resuming a normal life. The research puts pressure on the international community to ban the weapons in totality.

Matarazzo, B. B., Signoracci, G. M., Brenner, L. A., & Olson-madden, J. (2016). Barriers and facilitators in providing community mental health care to returning veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury and co-occurring mental health symptoms. Community Mental Health Journal, 52(2), 158-164. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-015-9926-9

Matarazzo article discusses the facilitators and barriers to providing community mental health care services to veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury and associated mental conditions. Reports reveal that there are increasing numbers of veterans seeking mental health services after return from deployment. According to the Veteran Health Administration, only half of the population have sorted their assistance in handling their health issues. Community providers are therefore encouraged to receive training on mental health challenges such as traumatic brain injury, PTSD among others to meet the needs of the veterans (Matarazzo et al., 2016). To this extent, the Veteran Health Administration has held closed-door meetings with health providers at the Colorado Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC). The sessions aimed at finding out the existing challenges and opportunities in handling mental health issues affecting veterans with a history of TBI and related psychiatric conditions. The CMHC had revealed that their facilities had limited resources and personnel equipped with handling TBIs cases.

From the meeting, participants established that there was a need for additional training among medical service providers to be able to meet the unique requirement of veterans with mental health issues. According to health reports from CMHC, out 4600 admitted patients 1000 die from TBIs related diagnosis. Health providers are concerned with the increasing reported incidence of TBI, PTSD, and mental health disorders such as depression among civilians. Mental Health care services are essential especially for war veterans to assist their transition to community integration after conflict. Many veterans from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have diagnosed with TBIs as a signature wound. Possible barriers to veterans seeking health care services for TBIs include; their lack of knowledge on mental health care service providers, the costs of seeking mental health care are quite expensive. Veterans also find it embarrassing to ask for help due to existing mental health stigma among veterans. Others also fear they may lose their careers. However, the development of policies by the department of health creates an opportunity for veterans to access mental health care.

Peterson, K., M.S., Anderson, J., M.P.H., Boundy, E., M.S., Ferguson, L., M.A., McCleery, E., M.P.H., & Waldrip, K., M.S. (2018). Mortality Disparities in Racial/Ethnic minority groups in the veterans’ health administration: An evidence review and map. American Journal of Public Health, 108(3), E1-E11. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304246

Peterson’s article explores the existing disparities associated with the administration of mental health services for veterans from minority groups. It ascertains that sociological inequality such as race and ethnicity are significant determinants of mental health care administration among veterans. In 2014, the US Affordable Care Act was established to eradicate these existing disparities. Although medical facilities have had substantial improvements, the effects of the changes on life expectancy are yet to be determined. The Veteran Health Administration is among the most significant health services provides in the United States. It advocates for health equity among veterans from all social groups within the three stages of mental health care service provision (Peterson, 2018). First, the mental condition is detected, determined then eradicated. Despite the endless attempts, racial disparities exist within the VHA service providers. This article provides a discussion on research carried out to identify social inequality within the VHA. The study provided a comparative analysis of the treatment of minority groups and non-minority groups by the VHA.

The research was qualitatively analyzed based on two main subject areas; racial groups, and clinical areas. The study also compared the mortality ratios between black and white veterans. According to studies in most cases, black veterans had lower mortality compared to white, in other areas the rates were similar. The results were as follows; black and Hispanic veterans were mostly bound to suffer mental health issues such as PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, they would most likely not seek medical care for their mental problems due to mental health stigma in the society. VHA has done significant work in reducing racial disparities within the private sector; however, morality issues are affecting Black veterans in clinical locations. These studies are not sufficient to enough to provide conclusive results on mental health provision disparities. There is a need for more studies on Hispanic, Asians, and American Indian and Black veterans.

Richards, L. K., Bui, E., Charney, M., Hayes, K. C., Baier, A. L., Rauch, P. K., . . . Simon, N. M. (2017). Treating veterans and military families: Evidence-based practices and training needs among community clinicians. Community Mental Health Journal, 53(2), 215-223. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0013-7

Richard’s article provides an evaluation of the techniques employed by community clinicians in handling mental health issues affecting veterans and military families. There are limited knowledge and research on the professionalism of community mental health service providers in tackling mental health issues such as traumatic brain injuries and PTSD among veterans (Richard et al., 2017). Three hundred fifty-two community health service providers were involved in the research as the test subjects. The study aimed at identifying the existing clinical practices, loopholes for training, and instruments and techniques applied in finding evidence for mental issues such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBIs). Based on the findings 49% of the health providers revealed that rarely used the appropriate equipment for testing TBIs and PTSD. The providers also explained that there were not as equipped in handling cognitive therapy for veterans with a history of TBI and PTSD. Therefore, there is a need for health providers to seek training and invest in PTSD and TBI screening instrument.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are common mental health issues associated with time in military combat. Both conditions result in cognitive impairment and mental health conditions such as depression and sleep depravities. Unfortunately, there is a limited number of veterans who can assess mental health care for TBI and PTSD. Unfortunately, this increases the risks of veterans to suffer from suicidal tendencies, substance abuse and poor health conditions among others. Veterans have undergone traumatic situations as such it is crucial that they access mental health care services before reintegrated into society. The Department of defense has put in place policies to ensure screening and diagnosis of veterans after post-conflict assessment. The article ascertains that the use of PTSD screening instruments and evidence-based assessment helps in identification of TBI and PTSD. Therefore, there is a need for community mental health services providers to receive appropriate training on ways to handle TBI and PTSD veterans.

Uchendu, U. S., Omalu, B. I., Cifu, D. X., & Egede, L. E. (2016). Repeated concussions: Time to spur action among vulnerable veterans. American Journal of Public Health, 106(8), 1366-1368. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303293

Uchendu’s article provides an evaluation of the post-conflict psychological challenges affecting war veterans. The article notes of the kind gesture by Honorable Robert McDonald, The Secretary of the United States Veteran Affairs Department who had offered his brains as a donation for researching chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). McDonald not only served in the army but he was also athletic and participated in sports such as football and rugby that promote risks of repeated concussions (Uchendu et al., 2016). There is limited research provided within the study of CTE. Therefore, medical facilities are yet to create appropriate policies to handle this health challenge. Although research on CTE primarily focuses on the athletes, there is current research that reveals that the root cause of pathology also exists among veterans in the form of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Veterans are more exposed to TBI as compared to civilians as during combat they are exposed to repeated concussions.

According to research from 2000, the United State Armed Forces have carried over 344, 000 medical diagnoses on TBIs. Reports reveal that more than 80% of the reported cases were mild TBIs. There are over 1.7 million annual reports of people suffering from TBIs. Brain injuries account to over third annual injury deaths in America. TBIs is a brain condition that occurs from repeated concussions or blows to the head. It not only causes brain functionality alteration but also causes psychosocial, cognitive and physical impairments. In mild conditions, TBI results in occasional loss of consciousness of about 30 minute from time to time. Armed Forces are more likely to suffer extreme conditions of TBIs as a result of continuous exposure to explosive devices. Research reveals that over 20% of the armed forces deployed in the Gulf War suffered from TBIs. If not treated in time, combat associated concussions may result in extreme conditions of TBIs and later progress to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

References

Agimi, Yll, PhD,M.P.H., M.S., Regasa, Lemma Ebssa,PhD., M.S., Ivins, B., M.P.S., Malik, S., M.D., Helmick, Katherine, MS, CRNP,A.N.P.B.C., C.N.R.N., & Marion, Donald,M.D., M.Sc. (2018). Role of department of defense policies in identifying traumatic brain injuries among deployed US service members, 2001–2016. American Journal of Public Health, 108(5), 683-688. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304347

Peterson, K., M.S., Anderson, J., M.P.H., Boundy, E., M.S., Ferguson, L., M.A., McCleery, E., M.P.H., & Waldrip, K., M.S. (2018). Mortality disparities in Racial/Ethnic minority groups in the veterans health administration: An evidence review and map. American Journal of Public Health, 108(3), E1-E11. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2017.304246

Richards, L. K., Bui, E., Charney, M., Hayes, K. C., Baier, A. L., Rauch, P. K., . . . Simon, N. M. (2017). Treating veterans and military families: Evidence based practices and training needs among community clinicians. Community Mental Health Journal, 53(2), 215-223. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10597-016-0013-7

Do you need an Original High Quality Academic Custom Essay?