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Traumatic Brain Injury

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Individuals with head injuries or who suffer from exposure to explosive blasts (such as first responders, accident victims, and combat troops) may experience mild to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) that causes cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and physical problems. RAND conducts studies to assess the educational needs of TBI patients and their families and to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of government-sponsored programs designed to support TBI patients.

Report

Defining High-Quality Care for Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Oct 22, 2020

A rigorously developed, shared definition of high-quality care for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury will help clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations better meet veterans' needs.
Report

Treatment of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Military Health System

Apr 18, 2016

Among service members diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, the majority of cases are concussions. Understanding the characteristics of service members with these injuries and their treatment patterns can inform the delivery of high-quality care.

Explore Traumatic Brain Injury

Report

Toward a Unified Multiscale Computational Model of the Human Body's Immediate Responses to Blast-Related Trauma: A Review of the Scientific Literature

This report describes what is known about the human body's immediate responses to blast trauma from the results of computational modeling and identifies opportunities for further research in an effort to fill knowledge gaps.

Oct 4, 2021
Research Brief

Post 9/11 Trends in Medical Separation and Separation for Service Members with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury

Trends in military medical discharges and disability ratings can help the U.S. Department of Defense set goals for diagnosing, treating, and evaluating service members with posttraumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury.

May 10, 2021
Report

Evolution of Department of Defense Disability Evaluation and Management of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury: Overview of Policy Changes, 2001–2018

The authors review major policy changes to the military's disability evaluation system between 2001 and 2018 with a particular focus on changes to policies related to posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

May 10, 2021
Report

Trends in Department of Defense Disability Evaluation System Ratings and Awards for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, 2002–2017

The authors conduct an empirical analysis of trends in diagnosis, treatment, and disability evaluation for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among military service members between 2002 and 2017.

May 10, 2021
Research Brief

2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among the Active Component

The 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health and health behaviors of service members. This brief reviews results for physical health and functional limitations among active component members.

Apr 28, 2021
Research Brief

2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey: Physical Health and Functional Limitations Among the Reserve Component

The 2018 Health Related Behaviors Survey sought information on the health and health behaviors of service members. This brief reviews results for physical health and functional limitations among reserve component members.

Apr 28, 2021
Journal Article

The Differential Mortality of Glasgow Coma Score in Patients with and Without Head Injury

This article determines if the association of Glasgow Coma Score with mortality is influenced by the presence of traumatic brain injury.

Dec 31, 2020
Multimedia

Benefits and Applications of a Standardized Definition of High-Quality Care

RAND senior policy researcher Carrie Farmer presents several ways in which a standardized definition of high-quality care could be used by health care organizations, veterans, and payers.

Dec 17, 2020
Commentary

All Veterans with Invisible Wounds Should Receive High-Quality Care That Meets These Standards

Millions of post-9/11 U.S. military veterans experience life-changing invisible wounds, including posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic issues resulting from traumatic brain injuries. While effective treatments are available, many veterans lack access to high-quality care. And what high-quality care means, exactly, has been elusive.

Oct 30, 2020
Research Brief

What Does High-Quality Care Mean for Veterans with Invisible Wounds?

Many veterans have difficulty accessing high-quality care for posttraumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. As clinical providers and veteran-serving organizations aim to improve access, a shared definition of high-quality care for these conditions would help them better meet veterans' needs.

Oct 22, 2020
Report

Neurological Effects of Repeated Exposure to Military Occupational Levels of Blast: A Review of Scientific Literature

There is increasing concern over the common, repetitive forms of blast to which military members are exposed during service, and how those exposures could affect the central nervous system. The authors of this report review the relevant literature.

Mar 18, 2020
Report

The Neurological Effects of Repeated Exposure to Military Occupational Blast: Implications for Prevention and Health: Proceedings, Findings, and Expert Recommendations from the Seventh Department of Defense State-of-the-Science Meeting

The Seventh Department of Defense State-of-the-Science Meeting examined the risk posed to military personnel by low-level blast exposure, the current evidence base, and potentially promising approaches to prevent and detect blast injuries.

Mar 13, 2019
Journal Article

Impact of TBI on Caregivers of Veterans with TBI: Burden and Interventions

Programs to support caregivers and families of veterans with traumatic brain injuries will benefit from further research on the specific economic and health needs of these caregivers.

Dec 7, 2017
Report

Bridging Gaps in Veterans' Mental Health Care

The Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) Initiative aims to bridge gaps in mental health care for returning veterans and their families. Strategic planning will help ensure WBV's continued effectiveness.

Oct 9, 2017
Research Brief

The Changing Landscape for Veterans' Mental Health Care

The changing landscape of veterans' mental health care poses challenges for the Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) initiative. Examining these challenges may help WBV ensure continued success and sustainability.

Oct 9, 2017
Research Brief

A New Way Forward in Veterans' Mental Health Care: How "Welcome Back Veterans" Is Making a Difference

This brief provides an overview of the Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) initiative, which provides grants to programs focused on addressing the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.

Oct 9, 2017
Commentary

Invisible Wounds: Closing the Gaps to More Effectively Address These Injuries

Too few of the veterans who experience mental health issues get the help they need. Even fewer get the right care. Closing these gaps will require raising awareness about the barriers to care, and changing how the mental health care system is organized and delivers services.

Sep 29, 2016
Research Brief

Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Service Members with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

This research brief describes the first comprehensive study of care for mild traumatic brain injury, or concussion, in the Military Health System, including patient characteristics, care settings, co-occurring conditions, and long-term care needs.

Apr 18, 2016

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