Supporting the Frontlines: A Scoping Review Addressing the Health Challenges of Military Personnel and Veterans-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

Supporting the Frontlines: A Scoping Review Addressing the Health Challenges of Military Personnel and Veterans

Published:2023-10-31 Issue:21 Volume:11 Page:2870
ISSN:2227-9032
Container-title:Healthcare
language:en
Short-container-title:Healthcare

Author:

Alruwaili Abdullah¹²³⁴^ORCID,Khorram-Manesh Amir⁵⁶⁷^ORCID,Ratnayake Amila⁸,Robinson Yohan⁶⁹^ORCID,Goniewicz Krzysztof¹⁰^ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Emergency Medical Services, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Al Ahsa 36428, Saudi Arabia

2. King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Al Ahsa 36428, Saudi Arabia

3. Ministry of National Guard—Health Affairs, Al Ahsa 36428, Saudi Arabia

4. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia

5. Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Goteborg, Sweden

6. Centre for Disaster Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

7. Gothenburg Emergency Medicine Research Group (GEMREG), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 05 Goteborg, Sweden

8. Department of Surgery, Army Hospital Colombo, Colombo 00800, Sri Lanka

9. Swedish Armed Forces Centre for Defence Medicine, 426 05 Västra Frölunda, Sweden

10. Department of Security, Polish Air Force University, 08-521 Deblin, Poland

Abstract

(1) Background: Military personnel and veterans meet unique health challenges that stem from the complex interplay of their service experiences, the nature of warfare, and their interactions with both military and civilian healthcare systems. This study aims to examine the myriad of injuries and medical conditions specific to this population, encompassing physical and psychological traumas. (2) Methods: A scoping review (systematic search and non-systematic review) was performed to evaluate the current landscape of military healthcare. (3) Results: A significant change in the injury profile over time is identified, linked to shifts in combat strategies and the integration of advanced technologies in warfare. Environmental exposures to diverse chemical or natural agents further complicate the health of service members. Additionally, the stressors they face, ranging from routine stress to traumatic experiences, lead to various mental health challenges. A major concern is the gap in healthcare accessibility and quality, worsened by challenges in the civilian healthcare system’s capacity to address these unique needs and the military healthcare system’s limitations. (4) Conclusions: This review underscores the need for holistic, integrated approaches to care, rigorous research, and targeted interventions to better serve the health needs of military personnel and veterans.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Health Information Management,Health Informatics,Health Policy,Leadership and Management

Link

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/21/2870/pdf

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