RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Professional burnout is a well-documented occupational phenomenon, characterized by the gradual "wearing away" of an individual's physical and mental well-being, resulting in a variety of adverse job-related outcomes. It has been suggested that burnout is more common in occupations that require close interpersonal relationships, such as mental health services. METHODS: This study surveyed 488 mental health clinicians working with military populations about work-related outcomes, including level of professional burnout, job satisfaction, and other work-related domains. RESULTS: Approximately 21% (weighted) of the sample reported elevated levels of burnout; several domains were found to be significantly associated with burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Education about professional burnout symptoms and early intervention are essential to ensure that providers continue to provide optimal care for service members and veterans.
Asunto(s)
Agotamiento Profesional/epidemiología , Servicios de Salud Mental , Personal Militar/psicología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Autoinforme , Estados Unidos , Recursos HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study examined sources of help (providers or nonproviders) used by soldiers for mental health problems. Differences in perceived barriers to care by type of help used were also assessed. METHODS: Active-duty soldiers from four brigade combat teams (N=3,380) were surveyed in 2008-2009. Items assessed posttraumatic stress disorder; depression; anxiety; help needed because of a stress, emotional, alcohol, or family problem; stigma; negative attitudes toward care; and organizational barriers. Participants reported receipt of help in the past three months from providers (mental health or medical professionals or an Army resource hotline) or nonproviders (fellow soldier, medic, chaplain, or chain of command). RESULTS: Nearly a third (31%) were identified as being in need of mental health care. Of those, 5% reported using nonprovider help exclusively, 14% used provider help exclusively, and 7% used both types. Stigma was rated significantly lower as a barrier among those who used help exclusively from providers than among those who did not use help from any source; however, no significant differences in stigma scores were found between those who used help from nonproviders and those who did not use help from any source. Soldiers who used help from nonproviders were more likely than those who used help from providers to perceive organizational barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Results show that soldiers may view nonproviders as alternative sources of mental health help, suggesting that the Army should ensure that such resources are adequately trained and integrated into the mental health community so that soldiers can receive the help they need.
Asunto(s)
Actitud Frente a la Salud , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Trastornos Mentales/terapia , Servicios de Salud Mental , Personal Militar/psicología , Estigma Social , Apoyo Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Alcoholismo/psicología , Alcoholismo/terapia , Ansiedad/psicología , Ansiedad/terapia , Depresión , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Trastornos Mentales/psicología , Servicios de Salud Mental/organización & administración , Grupo Paritario , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/psicología , Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático/terapia , Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/terapia , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Limited data exist on the adequacy of treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after combat deployment. This study assessed the percentage of soldiers in need of PTSD treatment, the percentage receiving minimally adequate care, and reasons for dropping out of care. METHODS: Data came from two sources: a population-based cohort of 45,462 soldiers who completed the Post-Deployment Health Assessment and a cross-sectional survey of 2,420 infantry soldiers after returning from Afghanistan (75% response rate). RESULTS: Of 4,674 cohort soldiers referred to mental health care at a military treatment facility, 75% followed up with this referral. However, of 2,230 soldiers who received a PTSD diagnosis within 90 days of return from Afghanistan, 22% had only one mental health care visit and 41% received minimally adequate care (eight or more encounters in 12 months). Of 229 surveyed soldiers who screened positive for PTSD (PTSD Checklist score ≥50), 48% reported receiving mental health treatment in the prior six months at any health care facility. Of those receiving treatment, the median number of visits in six months was four; 22% had only one visit, 52% received minimally adequate care (four or more visits in six months), and 24% dropped out of care. Reported reasons for dropout included soldiers feeling they could handle problems on their own, work interference, insufficient time with the mental health professional, stigma, treatment ineffectiveness, confidentiality concerns, or discomfort with how the professional interacted. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment reach for PTSD after deployment remains low to moderate, with a high percentage of soldiers not accessing care or not receiving adequate treatment. This study represents a call to action to validate interventions to improve treatment engagement and retention.