Full access
Community News
Published Online: 20 November 2014

Civilian Clinicians Gain Competence in Military Culture via Online Course

Aaron LevinAuthors Info & Affiliations
Publication: Psychiatrics News
Volume 49, Number 22
https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2014.11b22
Cultural competency is as important in understanding military service members as it is for any population group.
Engagement improves treatment. Now, a new online course seeks to educate civilian clinicians about military culture to help them better connect with military service members and veterans.
The free, four-module course was jointly developed by the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense and is available at the latter’s Center for Deployment Psychology website.
The course was announced as part of President Obama’s executive actions in late August (Psychiatric News, September 19).
Even simple miscommunication can disrupt or destroy attempts at a therapeutic relationship, say veterans.
“Service members, veterans, and their families cite lack of respect and understanding of their experiences as a major reason for not seeking mental health treatment or for leaving therapy,” noted the course developers. “The ability to understand and appreciate the military culture and to tailor clinical practices based on that understanding and appreciation is imperative for clinicians working with service members.”
To overcome that hurdle, the course, called “Military Culture: Core Competencies for Healthcare Professionals,” asks clinicians first to evaluate their own beliefs and understandings of military culture. It then offers information on military ethos, organization, and roles; identifies the stressors unique to military experience and their effects on the patient’s health; and offers resources and tools for culturally competent assessment and clinical treatment.
The course’s four modules can be taken individually, or the full program can be completed in a single day. The modules include video clips of service members and veterans talking about their experiences, along with assessment and treatment-planning tools.
The course also includes detailed, printable reference materials on everything from military insignias and basic training to information on the children of military personnel and treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Continuing education credits are available with the course. ■
The “Military Culture: Core Competencies for Healthcare Professionals” course can be accessed here.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Psychiatric News
Psychiatrics News
Volume 49 • Number 22 • November 8, 2014 – November 21, 2014
Pages: 1

History

Published online: 20 November 2014
Published in print: November 8, 2014 – November 21, 2014

Keywords

  1. culture
  2. military culture
  3. cultural competency
  4. Department of Defense
  5. Department of Veterans Affairs
  6. PTSD
  7. psychiatrist
  8. mental health

Authors

Affiliations

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Export Citations

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu.

Format
Citation style
Style
Copy to clipboard
Tips for downloading citations

There are no citations for this item

View Options

View options

Get Access

Login options

Already a subscriber? Access your subscription through your login credentials or your institution for full access to this article.

Personal login Institutional Login Open Athens login

Not a subscriber?

Subscribe Now / Learn More

PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5-TR® library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.

Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Share article link

Share

×

As described within the American Psychiatric Association (APA)'s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences. Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.