Current practices and training needs of mental and physical health providers who treat veterans and their families

Addressing the mental health needs of veterans, especially those returning from recent deployments, is a national priority. Yet currently only half of combat veterans eligible for Veterans Affairs (VA) services access this care. Education of civilian health professionals is urgently needed to provide accessible, culturally-competent care for veterans and their families. In 2012, the Maryland Veterans Resilience Initiative, a university-state partnership, conducted an online needs assessment of state mental and physical health providers. Respondents (N=3046) shared their backgrounds, screening for military status, TRICARE use, referrals, knowledge of and confidence in treating veteran conditions, and training needs. Only 49% of participating mental health providers (N=1767) and 19% of physical health providers (N=1279) regularly screened for military status; 13% of mental health and 6% of physical health providers regularly referred to VA facilities. Mental health providers (33%) were less likely than physical health providers to accept TRICARE (49%). Between 27% and 36% of mental health providers reported extensive knowledge of PTSD, depression, anxiety, anger, family stress/problems, substance abuse, and suicide ideation among veterans. Less than 15% had extensive knowledge of TBI, sleep disorders, and military sexual trauma, signature issues of the current conflicts. Physical health professionals were significantly less knowledgeable and confident than mental health providers in treating mental health conditions, but had greater knowledge/confidence treating TBI and pain management. This presentation describes how the needs assessment, including data on training interests/preferred formats, informed statewide professional trainings to enhance providers' knowledge of treatments, screening strategies, and supportive services for veterans and families.