Caring for Veterans

Overview

AAPA is a partner in the Joining Forces Campaign. We are dedicated to being a part of this important mission to support U.S. service members, military veterans, their families and families of the fallen. The PA profession has roots in the military, and many PAs serve with those warriors on the front lines.

AAPA’s Caring for Veterans and Military Families Initiative endeavors to bring awareness to all PAs so that they can provide the military and veteran communities the care and support they need. This dedicated web page has been created to provide resources for PAs to utilize in caring for veterans and their families/caregivers; disseminate information related to new research around veterans health; and highlight the work of PAs who are serving our nation’s heroes.

• Veterans Caucus Inc.
• Educational and Clinical Practice Resources
• Support for Veterans
• Support for Military Families and Caregivers
• Job and Educational Resources for Veterans
• PAs Supporting Veterans
• Joining Forces Initiative

Educational & Clinical Practice Resources

• Military Caregivers: Cornerstones of Support for our Nation’s Wounded, Ill and Injured Veterans a review of the RAND Report, presented by Terri Tanielian, senior social research analyst, RAND Corporation; and facilitated by J. Leocadia Conlon, PA-C, MPH. (Video presentation) 
• PTSD: National Center for PTSD brings together free in-depth continuing education resources for the professional community concerned with trauma.
• BrainLine for Professionals — Preventing, treating, and living with traumatic brain injury (TBI); find the research from experts in the field, tools and strategies, fact sheets for patients and so much more.
• Defense Veterans Brain Injury Center — Educational and practice resources
• Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) — Treatment for PTSD
• Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury — Clinical resource
• VA Blue Button Program — Help your patients obtain their medical records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
• RAND report — Invisible Wounds of War Project
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Examination — Clinical resource
• Citizen Soldier Support Program-Course Catalog — Category 2 CME
• Make the Connection — Effects of Military Sexual Trauma Clinical Resource

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Support for Veterans

Know the signs of suicide and provide support to veterans and active duty military members!

• Ask – Don’t just ask about if someone is thinking of suicide – also ask about sleep disturbances, alcohol use, hopelessness, depression, anxiety or panic; if they have activities they enjoy and look forward to; and ask about access to firearms and other lethal means.
• Care – Listen, offer hope, and don’t judge.
• Escort – Take action, don’t leave the person alone, and escort them to assistance.

The Military/Veterans Crisis Line provides immediate attention at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) * Press 1

Other Resources for Veteran Support

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Support for military families and caregivers

• Elizabeth Dole Foundation
• RAND Report: Military Caregivers: Cornerstones of Support for Our Nation’s Wounded, Ill, and Injured Veterans
• Blue Star Families
• No Greater Sacrifice

Job & Educational Resources for Veterans

Recognizing that well-being is more than just physical health, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Warrior and Family Support program has discussed the “Model of Excellence” as the necessary trinity for military veterans to successfully reintegrate into society. This includes access to healthcare, employment and education. PAs can support the total wellness of military veterans by providing resources for employment and education in addition to being their healthcare provider.

The following resources are for military veterans who may be interested in applying to a physician assistant program:

• Physician Assistant Education Association
• Joining Forces Campaign-Taking Action to Serve American’s Military Families

Additional Resources

PAs Supporting Veterans

Read about PAs Create a Healing and the Horse Rhythm Foundation a national nonprofit organization founded and run by PAs to support veterans and their families.

The Joining Forces Initiative

AAPA is a partner in the Joining Forces Initiative.