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Medical Schools to Give Students More Training to Help Military Patients
By Catherine Groux
Posted January 13, 2012 04:44 PM
Individuals who are currently serving in the military, or are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, often face a unique set of health issues. For example, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reports that about 5.2 million people have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during any given year. Additionally, military personnel may develop physical injuries, anxiety disorders and substance dependencies during or after their service. For this reason, they frequently require more specialized healthcare than civilians.
To ensure that active-duty military personnel and veterans are receiving the care they need, more than 100 medical schools across the country have agreed to give their students extra training in this area. This news was recently announced by both the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and the Association of American Medical College (AAMC), which together represent many medical schools across the nation.
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A total of 100 medical schools will better train their students to support the military. of the schools participating in the program include the Yale School of Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, according to the AAMC. In 2012, these schools have agreed to give their medical doctorate degree (MD) seekers the most up-to-date information on topics like traumatic brain injuries and PTSD. Additionally, they will encourage students to join the community of doctors, healthcare provides and schools that support the improvement of healthcare for military members.
William Strampel, the dean of Michigan State University's College of Osteopathic Medicine, said that under the program, medical schools can do a great deal to assist veterans and current service members.
"Medical schools are uniquely positioned to help some of our nation's bravest citizens overcome these types of injuries," Strampel told the school's website. "Our students and residents are at the forefront of primary care, and this commitment is important in recognizing the tools we need to provide them."
The plan is part of the Obama Administration's Joining Forces initiative, which encourages all Americans to support active-duty military members. Among the goals of the program, which is spearheaded by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, is to provide wellness to the military. According to its website, Joining Forces works to expand military access to wellness programs and highlight the issues facing veterans.
