As the largest health care provider in the United States, the Department of Defense faces significant challenges ensuring that all members of the military, as well as their families, receive appropriate care for everything from general health and well-being to amputations, chemically induced illnesses, and post-traumatic stress. Combining its expertise in health and defense policy, RAND examines policy issues surrounding military medical care needs and the systems intended to meet them.
Multimedia
In this May 2011 Congressional Briefing, behavioral scientist Rajeev Ramchand presents RAND research and analysis on recent increases in suicides among members of the U.S. military.
Journal Article
About one-third of veterans report using alcohol, street drugs, or medication prescribed for others to manage pain.
Report
Describes the full range of research products and services that RAND Arroyo Center provided to the Army leadership in FY 2010, including projects, quick-response studies, peer-reviewed publications, and the analytic training of Army officers.
Report
This documented briefing presents the results of a rapid review of the funding landscape for complex trauma research in the UK. Recommendations are made about how to strengthen this niche and orphan area of research.
Research Brief
Shares results of a study assessing the broad array of challenges that returning veterans face at the state level, including a range of mental health concerns, problems finding jobs commensurate with their skills, and complicated health care systems.
News Release
Army children whose parents have deployed 19 months or more since 2001 score lower on standardized tests than other Army children whose parents have deployed for shorter periods of time.
Report
Army children whose parents have deployed 19 months or more since 2001 score lower on standardized tests than other Army children whose parents have deployed for shorter periods of time.
Journal Article
This study conducted in the VA mental health system identified consensus areas, validated instruments, and assessment strategies that can be used for monitoring outcomes and improving quality of care for schizophrenia in routine practice.
Journal Article
Longitudinal studies examining care for seriously ill patients are needed to understand patients' experience of illness, evaluate interventions, and improve quality of care. Unfortunately, such studies face substantial methodological challenges. This article describes such challenges and the strategies used to overcome them in a successfully implemented palliative care intervention trial for veterans.
Report
Lessons learned in the civilian and government sectors hold importance for transforming the way in which the Military Health System identifies and develops health care officers with high leadership potential for senior executive positions.
Research Brief
The Military Health System faces a range of challenges, and effective leadership is key to meeting them. Approaches used by other organizations could guide improvements in how military health care leaders are selected, developed, and incentivized.
News Release
U.S. military officials should improve efforts to identify those at-risk and improve both the quality and access to behavioral health treatment in response to a sharp rise in suicide among members of nation's armed forces.
Report
U.S. military officials should improve efforts to identify those at risk and improve both the quality and access to behavioral health treatment in response to a sharp rise in suicide among members of the nation's armed forces.
Research Brief
The increasing number of suicides is causing concern in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Suicide-prevention programs in DoD and across the services have some (but not all) of the characteristics of comprehensive programs.
Announcement
The AcademyHealth Board of Directors gives the Health Services Research (HSR) Impact Award to recognize research that has had a significant impact on health and health care. This year, RAND's Invisible Wounds of War study and Terri Tanielian were named winners.
News Release
Military veterans from New York state who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are at high risk for mental health problems. Outreach to connect veterans with services and better coordination among government and community agencies is needed.
Report
Military veterans from New York state who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are at high risk for mental health problems. Outreach to connect veterans with services and better coordination among government and community agencies is needed.
Research Brief
Reports the results of a longitudinal study of youth from military families and their caregivers concerning their emotional well-being and how well they are coping with servicemembers' extended deployments.
News Release
Children and spouses of military members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan report facing challenges as family relationships change and they assume more responsibility for household duties during deployment.
Report
Children and spouses of military members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan report facing challenges as family relationships change and they assume more responsibility for household duties during deployment.
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