Caring for military spouses in primary care.
OBJECTIVE
To provide primary care providers with knowledge of unique challenges faced by military families. By understanding how military families cope with military lifestyle and deployment, providers can be more effective in their care of these patients and offer assistance in optimizing their health.


METHODS
Research articles, World Wide Web search of resources for military families and Department of Defense documents.


CONCLUSIONS
Military families are faced with many challenges and hardships such as frequent geographic relocations, social isolation, periodic deployments and separations, and risk of injury and death. Unique stressors associated with deployment include assumption of single parent role, altered finances, change in social support from family and friends, and concerns for the safety of the service member. Ineffective coping with stressors can manifest both physically and/or psychologically.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers should routinely inquire about a patient's possible military affiliation. Military spouses need to be assessed for current stress levels and coping behaviors used in order to provide the most appropriate recommendations and referrals. As healthcare providers, understanding the unique demands of the military lifestyle is necessary to provide effective quality care with optimal health outcomes in this population.
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland.
Diane
D
Padden
Sheena M
SM
Posey
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D066067:Military Family / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States
Military; family; stress; stress and coping; veterans