title: Chasing the care: soldiers experience following combat-related mild traumatic brain injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  One of the most common, yet most difficult to detect injuries sustained by U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Left untreated, mTBI can negatively impact soldiers' postdeployment adjustment. This research describes the rehabilitation experiences of soldiers with a history of mTBI and their spouses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated in the study. A total of 27 interviews were conducted exploring couples' post-mTBI rehabilitation experiences. Participants consisted of active duty soldiers with mTBI who had returned from deployment within 2 years, and their civilian spouses. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology was used to collect and analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the soldiers and spouses who participated (16/18) indicated that uncertain prognosis and symptom management were the greatest challenges of post-mTBI. Other challenges, such as delayed diagnosis, limited access to mental health care, and difficulty navigating an unfamiliar military health care system was also reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of mTBI's lack of visible manifestation, soldiers may confuse their mTBI symptoms with those of other deployment-related injuries and this leads to a delay in treatment. Future research should explore the standardization of post-mTBI rehabilitation programs and the effectiveness of soldier education to promote early detection and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Building 17B, Suite 3E, Room 3125, Bethesda, MD 20889.
authors.forename: Kyong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hyatt
authors.affiliation: Duke University, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Duke University, 307 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barroso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008889:Military Personnel; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D062526:Patient Navigation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D018454:Spouses; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult