Combat Stress Casualties in Iraq. Part 2: Psychiatric Screening Prior to Aeromedical Evacuation

Abstract

Psychiatric screening can help reduce risk in potentially unstable mental health patients prior to aeromedical evacuation. Civilian nurse psychotherapists and advanced practice psychiatric nurses will be needed to provide psychiatric follow-up care for the large number of military veterans returning from combat.

A concept analysis of nurses in conflicts after World War II

“…Most of the papers presented the results of original research studies (Agazio, 2010 ; Ben‐Ezra et al, 2013 ; Berger & Gelkopf, 2011 ; Conlon et al, 2019 ; Doherty et al, 2020 ; Doherty & Scannell‐Desch, 2015 ; Elliott, 2015 ; Firouzkouhi et al, 2013 ; Griffiths & Jasper, 2008 ; Lev‐Wiesel et al, 2009 ; Rahimaghaee et al, 2016 ; Ravella, 1995 ; Scannell‐Desch, 1996 ; Scannell‐Desch, 2000 ; Scannell‐Desch & Doherty, 2013 ; Shamia et al, 2015 ). Several papers focused on the training for military nurses (Agazio, 2010 ; Blaz et al, 2013 ; Byers, 2010 ; Lewis et al, 2016 ; Peterson et al, 2008 ; Rivers et al, 2006 ; Yoder & Brunken, 2003 ). Not all of the nurses who authored papers were affiliated with militaries or chose to support war, which gave our analysis a range of perspectives—several nurses published anti‐war arguments (Boyle & Bunting, 1998 ; Crowe & Hardill, 1991 ; Ford, 2022 ; Gorman, 2004 ; Livingston & Rankin, 1986 ; Tschudin & Schmitz, 2003 ).…”

“…Nurses were also skilled in managing patients who were suffering from sleep deprivation, depression and acute anxiety (Moore, 2005 ). According to Peterson et al ( 2008 ), nurses' skills for assessing and managing psychiatric conditions were particularly important during Operation Iraqi Freedom because large numbers of soldiers sustained brain and mutilating injuries caused by improvised explosive devices. Ravella ( 1995 ) explained that psychiatric nursing skills were also important in Vietnam because there were soldiers suffering from substance use disorders.…”

PTSD after deployment to Iraq: conflicting rates, conflicting claims

“…The 41 references that were not included in the review were excluded because: 13 studies did not fit the sample size criteria (Turner et al 2005; Engelhard et al 2007 a , b , 2008; Erbes et al 2007; Helmer et al 2007; Jakupcak et al 2007, 2008; Kolkow et al 2007; Felker et al 2008; Pietrzak et al 2009 a , b ; Renshaw et al 2009); five studies had not reported the prevalence of PTSD (Engelhard & van den Hout, 2007; Wright et al 2007; Fontana & Rosenheck, 2008; Peterson et al 2008; Riddle et al 2008); 10 studies were based on subsamples of larger studies (Browne et al 2007; Iversen et al 2008; Jones et al 2008; Smith et al 2008 b ; Vasterling et al 2008; LeardMann et al 2009; Rona et al 2009 a , b ; Smith et al 2009; Wilson et al 2009); 12 studies used treatment samples (Kang & Hyams, 2005; Grieger et al 2006; Rundell, 2006; Gahm et al 2007; Rosenheck & Fontana, 2007; Seal et al 2007, 2008; Larson et al 2008; McDonald et al 2008; McGhee et al 2008, 2009; Schneiderman et al 2008); and one study reported the prevalence for repeated assessments and provided insufficient information to calculate the adjusted standard errors (Shen et al 2009).…”

Combat Stress Casualties in Iraq. Part 1: Behavioral Health Consultation at an Expeditionary Medical Group

“…In Part 2 of this article (Peterson, Baker, & McCarthy, 2008), we will review the role of military psychiatric nurses and other mental health professionals in the screening and assessment of mental health patients at an aeromedical staging facility in Iraq. We review the current guidelines and principles involved in the evaluation of psychiatric patients prior to placing them on military aircraft to be medically evacuated outside of the war zone.…”