Background/PurposeMilitary veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and increased rates of unemployment compared to civilian populations. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is identified as a key outcome of long-term health and well-being. The purpose of this article is to (a) explore how employment concerns of veterans with deployment-related (DR) PTSD are associated with HRQOL outcomes, and (b) discuss implications for rehabilitation research, policy, and education.ObjectiveTo (a) explore how employment concerns of veterans with deployment-related (DR) PTSD are associated with HRQOL outcomes and (b) discuss implications for rehabilitation research, policy and education.SettingThree Veterans Health Administration Centers (VHAs).Design/MethodDescriptive qualitative study examining employment-related domains identified through focus groups.FindingsSample consisted of 58 veterans with DR-PTSD (N = 9). Veterans report that HRQOL is affected by PTSD and unemployment. Specifically, themes emerged in the areas of anger, social roles/relationships, task performance, avoidance/isolation, hypervigilance, control over the environment, violence/aggression, and sleep interference.ConclusionCurrently, there are limited measures of HRQOL and employment in veterans with DR-PTSD. This understanding may contribute to development of a more relevant and sensitive measure of DR-PTSD HRQOL, which may facilitate improved research, program evaluation, and clinical practice. Rehabilitation counselors are well positioned to provide services to veterans, but may lack the educational foundation and training needed to support this unique population. Development of military-specific training and curriculum is needed.
PMH44 Improving Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients with Refractory Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Use of Local Anesthetics Show Promise in a Clinical Case Series
