First lady Michelle Obama recently announced a new part of her “Joining Forces” campaign that will hope to better address a serious injury for those in Ohio and across the country. When an individual experiences a traumatic brain injury, they can be saddled with a lifetime of complications. With her recent announcement, the first lady hopes to prepare future physicians for the long-term challenges.
Traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder will both be included in courses at many medical schools across the nation. The two aforementioned conditions are signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Obama, along with officials from the Association of American Medical Colleges, will make sure that medical professionals are prepared.
In the announcement, Obama indicated that there will be more clinical trials, more shared research and more coursework on the subjects. Collaboration between 130 osteopathic and medical schools from around the country will likely lead to better conditions for those who have experienced these injuries.
Statistics shows that more than half of Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans currently rely on private medical practices rather than the Department of Veterans’ Affairs for the treatment of mental health issues. This means that all physicians should be well-trained in the areas of PTSD and TBI.
Currently, most medical schools do not require graduates to have a clear understanding of the injuries. While most touch on the topics, they do not thoroughly address them.
According to Obama, current medical students’ chances to treat veterans for these injuries are both great responsibilities and great opportunities. Being able to give back to someone who has fought for his or her country should be considered an honor by most.
Source: Stars and Stripes, “Medical schools to increase focus on PTSD, TBI,” Leo Shane III, Jan. 10, 2012