title: Development of an interdisciplinary case management program for combat veterans.
abstract: The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, prompted a major mobilization of Alabama active military reservists and Alabama National Guardsmen to serve in the Middle East. Health problems related to geographic relocation, environmental threats, combat and other traumatic events, and the stress associated with serving in an active capacity have resulted in an increase in the number of patients and the variety of illnesses being seen at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. The Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center developed a combat veterans care coordination program to efficiently and effectively manage the care of returning combat veterans. The development and first-year outcomes of the program are described.
authors.affiliation: Tracey M. Zilke, MSN, RN, is Director of the Office of Care Coordination, Tuscaloosa Veteran Affairs Medical Center, AL 35404, USA. tracey.zilke@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Tracey M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Zilke
authors.forename: Ruby Shaw
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: Troy Scott
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000407:Alabama; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008888:Military Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D024382:Professional Role; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology