Perceptions of Canadian Armed Forces Health Services health care professionals on cognitive assessment processes
Lay Summary Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Service Members (SMs) experience mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), which can affect cognitive functioning. Adequate cognitive functioning is needed to perform military duties safely and function in all aspects of life. A standardized process that includes cognitive screen/assessment within a mTBI rehabilitation strategy is not widely used within Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS). A qualitative thematic analysis nested within an implementation science approach was used to explore the experiences of 17 CFHS health care professionals who perform cognitive screens/assessments. Perceived facilitators, barriers, and recommendations for improving cog-nitive assessment practices for injured CAF-SMs were identified within 5 themes. Development and implementation of cognitive screen/assessment policies and protocols will enable CFHS to best assess and treat cognitive dysfunction among CAF-SMs.