Meeting the Healthcare Needs of America's Military Veterans

Returning veterans may present with war-related illnesses months or even years after their military service. Veterans may be referred to a community hospital or medical center for services that are not available at the local military treatment facility. This module describes the unique health conditions of returning veterans. An interprofessional approach is required to address the diverse healthcare needs of veterans, including traumatic brain injury, traumatic amputations, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and suicide risk, and hearing loss. Nurses, physicians, psychologists, social workers, dietitians, speech-language pathologists and physical and occupational therapists need to work collaboratively as an interprofessional team to effectively manage the multiplicity of healthcare needs for this at-risk population.