Impact of telephone-based problem-solving treatment on the use of medical and psychological services in the military

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J80083

Journal:

Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2018 , 33, 2, E1-E6

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study explored the impact of problem-solving treatment (PST) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in active duty service members on the use of medical and psychological services. Service members with mTBI and enrolled in the CONcussion Treatment After Combat Trauma (CONTACT) study were assigned to telephone-based PST or education only through e-mails or mailed letters over the course of 6 months. Self-reported health service utilization were assessed from months 4 through 6 and 10 through 12 after initiation of treatment, using the Cornell Service Index. In months 4 to 6, participants receiving PST had 6.17 times the odds of an emergency department visit or hospitalization than those receiving education only. These estimates, however, were not significant using a conservative Bonferroni correction. There were no other significant differences for other medical or psychological services received in months 4 to 6 or 10 to 12. The findings suggest that telephone-based PST may increase emergency department utilization. Future evaluations of PST with more accurate and complete measures of health service utilization are needed.

Author(s):

Richardson, John S.|Fann, Jesse R.|Bell, Kathleen R.|Temkin, Nancy|