Authors
Michelle M Hilgeman, Dr Robert J Cramer, Matthew C Hoch, Amber N Collins, Sasha Zabelski, Nicholas R Heebner
Publication date
2023/7/1
Journal
Military medicine
Volume
188
Issue
7-8
Pages
e2363-e2372
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Description
Introduction
Service members endure a number of musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) during service (e.g., ankle sprains and chronic back pain). Musculoskeletal injuries can reduce engagement in physical activity after military service and contribute to a sedentary lifestyle that diminishes physical health and elevates the risk for psychological distress including suicide-related behaviors. Yet, little is known about barriers and facilitators to accessing care in veterans with co-occurring MSI and mental health conditions. The purpose of this study was to pilot two brief measures of barriers and facilitators to rehabilitation and mental health services in military veterans with musculoskeletal and mental health conditions. Self-report tools vary in their response formats in ways that can impact usability, data quality, and completeness. We examine two response styles (i.e., checklist vs. thermometer) for two health …