title: Rear Operations Group medicine: a pilot study of psychological decompression in a Rear Operations Group during Operation HERRICK 14.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate group activity psychological decompression (GAPD) in a Rear Operations Group.
  
  
  METHODS
  Provision of military archaeological exercises for a Rear Operations Group's medical centre patients during Op HERRICK 14 with analysis of before and after Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ), Work and Social Adjustment Scales, generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) 7 Anxiety, Audit Questionnaire and Impact of Events Scale Revised and analysis of interviews with supervisors and soldiers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soldiers reported a mean of 13%-38% improvement across the self-reported domains. The civilian archaeologists reported improvements in self-esteem, morale and team-working. 10 out of 24 soldiers have expressed an interest to pursue archaeology further; eight soldiers disclosed mental health issues for the first time, four of whom required mental health referral.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GAPD can help early-returned soldiers in reducing symptoms of anxiety, depression, isolation and psychological traumatic symptoms. It also helps to increase perception of their ability to work and socialise as a team and help them to an early return to work. It can provide soldiers with the opportunity to approach their supervisors in an informal manner and help in early detection of mental health problems.
authors.affiliation: Rear Operations Group Civilian Medical Practitioner, Berkeley, Gloucestershire, UK.
authors.forename: Wasyl
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nimenko
authors.affiliation: Defence Medical Services, Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Simpson
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D001106:Archaeology; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Mental Health; Primary Care