12th Annual Force Health Protection Conference
Deployment Healthcare Track
Sponsored by DoD Deployment Health Clinical Center
August 2009

Deployment Healthcare Track (DHCT) Information

The 2009 Deployment Healthcare Track's focus was on Soldier-centered care for returning combat warriors and their families. The target audience was healthcare providers who are the first to assess and treat Soldiers: primary care and family practice providers, nurses, behavioral health, and physician assistants, as well as occupational and environmental medicine, clinical epidemiologists and health service researchers. Special areas of interest included:

1. Improving, measuring and evaluating war-related care
2. Fostering trust between Soldiers and healthcare providers (clinical risk communication)
3. Developing best practices for war-related diseases: traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) , depression, grief, trauma, PTSD
4. Improving continuity of care with coordinated aftercare between the DoD, the VA and other federal/private agencies
5. Initiating new information systems and clinical automation for war-related care

2009 Deployment Healthcare Track Presentations

To view the Schedule of all the 2009 DHCT presentations, click here.

To view the 2009 DHCT presentations for which consent has been given to post the slides on PDHealth, click here or click on the title of each session listed below.

August 16, 2009

Playbill and Poster for Deployment Healthcare Track Plenary Presentations

• Theater of War: Using Sophocles’ “Ajax” and “Philoctetes” as Teaching Tools to Improve Military Health Care Today



• “The Lioness Team” – Military Women: Strong, Brave and Emerging

Deployment Healthcare Workshop

• RESPECT-Mil

The Deployment Healthcare Track sponsored an all day workshop on Sunday 16 Aug entitled “Reengineering Primary Care Systems To Enhance Depression and PTSD Care”. RESPECT-Mil is a program designed to enhance the recognition and treatment of depression and PTSD for soldiers in primary care settings. The Army Surgeon General has authorized the implementation of RESPECT-Mil at 32 Army installations world-wide. This workshop included updates from an overall program level perspective. Information on the basic RESPECT-Mil protocol was presented as well as tools to assess, manage, and enhance continuity of care. Key RESPECT-mil personnel (i.e., primary care providers, behavioral health consultants, and RN care facilitators) described their respective roles. RESPECT-Mil stands for re-engineering systems for the primary care treatment (of depression and PTSD in the military. An integral aspect of the program is changing primary care systems in ways to significantly enhance primary care-based assessment and treatment. Participants learned about systems changes experientially by working in interdisciplinary groups focused on developing site/clinic RESPECT-Mil implementation plans at various fictitious military settings.

• RESPECT-Mil Champions Training

On Monday 17 Aug, the Deployment Healthcare Track sponsored a half-day workshop entitled “Extended RESPECT-Mil Champions Training: What You Need To Know To Carry Out Your Assignment”. This workshop was provided for individuals assigned as RESPECT-Mil "Champions" at their Facilities. RESPECT-Mil is a program designed to enhance the recognition and treatment of depression and PTSD for soldiers in primary care settings. Primary Care and Behavioral Health Champions are designated from each of these sites to implement the program at their respective sites. There is intermittent turnover of champions. Attending the RESPECT-Mil core workshop and this augmentation workshop the next day allowed newly designated champions to receive the necessary training to be leaders of RESPECT-Mil implementation at their sites. The workshop focused on the champions’ abilities to train and implement the program at their sites. Trainees observed a typical RESPECT-Mil provider training and then delivered one themselves with faculty constructive feedback. Attendees also briefed the group on the history of RESPECT-Mil implementation at their site and forecast important strategies and goals of implementation at their sites in the future.

• Building Resilience: Rebounding From and Preventing Compassion Fatigue

The Deployment Healthcare Track sponsored an all day workshop on Monday 17 Aug entitled “Building Resilience: Rebounding From and Preventing Compassion Fatigue”. As providers, we are in a position of vulnerability to compassion fatigue. The effects of prolonged exposure to indirect trauma and on-going demands can create symptoms closely paralleling those we serve. Understanding and addressing this risk factor may prevent decreased professional performance, staff losses, and create stronger providers. To avoid compassion fatigue, an appreciation of risks, self-assessments, and strategies for self care are essential. Understanding and managing compassion fatigue may increase coping skills and self care. This workshop offered an opportunity for discussion of compassion fatigue and self assessment. Methods, some tried and true and new techniques, were provided experientially.