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Belding JN, Bonkowski J, Englert R. Traumatic brain injury and occupational risk of low-level blast exposure on adverse career outcomes: an examination of administrative and medical separations from Service (2005-2015). Front Neurol 2024; 15:1389757. [PMID: 38689879 PMCID: PMC11058224 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1389757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been linked with adverse long-term health, less research has examined whether TBI is linked with non-clinical outcomes including involuntary job loss. Symptoms associated with TBI may influence one's ability to maintain gainful employment including employment in the U.S. military. That influence may impact military service members with exposure to repetitive low-level blast (LLB). Understanding the association between TBI and involuntary job loss outcomes among military populations is particularly important as it may be associated with differences in eligibility for post-service benefits. The purpose of the present research was to determine whether (1) TBI and related conditions are associated with involuntary job loss (i.e., medical and administrative separations from service) among military personnel, and (2) occupational risk of LLB is associated with involuntary job loss in both the presence and absence of clinical diagnoses of TBI and related conditions. Method This research leveraged population-level data from the Career History Archival Medical and Personnel System for enlisted personnel who served on active duty between 2005-2015. Risk of LLB exposure was categorized using military occupational specialty as a proxy. Medical diagnoses were identified using ICD-9 codes. Separations for medical and administrative reasons were identified. Results Risk for administrative separation differed across medical diagnoses of interest, but those who worked in high-risk occupations were more likely to be administratively separated than those working in low-risk occupations. Risk for medical separation was associated with occupational risk of LLB and each of the diagnoses of interest, though significant interactions suggested that the effects of certain diagnoses of interest (e.g., concussion, cognitive problems, postconcussive syndrome, migraines) on medical separations was greater among those working in high-risk occupations. Discussion Taken together, the present research suggests that TBI and associated medical conditions, as well as occupational risk of LLB, are associated with long-term involuntary job loss for medical reasons. This study is the first to demonstrate involuntary military job loss outcomes associated with TBI, mental health conditions, and conditions associated with blast exposure using both inpatient and outpatient population-level data and may have important implications for civilian employment and post-service benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Bonkowski
- Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, United States
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Robyn Englert
- Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA, United States
- Leidos, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
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Barnwell PV, Ingate MR, Sagar A, Contrada RJ. College students' perceptions of concussion: Illness beliefs and masculinity norms predict stigma and willingness to seek treatment. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37487191 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2222845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
College students' beliefs and attitudes concerning concussion, and masculinity norms, were examined in relation to stigma and willingness to seek treatment for possible concussion. Beliefs were measured using a revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ). Participants: Participants were 631 undergraduates at a Northeastern university, most of whom were nonathletes with no concussion. Methods: Data were collected online. Regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of stigma and treatment willingness. Results: Beliefs that concussion symptoms reflect malingering, are controllable, and have psychological causes were related to more stigmatizing attitudes, as was endorsement of masculinity norms regarding winning and risk-taking. Believing that concussion symptoms are long-lasting and endorsing competitiveness, pain discounting, and self-reliance predicted willingness to seek treatment. Preliminary structural models showed adequate fit. Conclusions: In addition to beliefs assessed by the IPQ, traditional conceptions of masculinity warrant greater attention in the study of concussion-related stigma and willingness to seek treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick V Barnwell
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
| | - Margaret R Ingate
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
| | - Anushka Sagar
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
| | - Richard J Contrada
- Psychology Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersy, USA
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Schmidt JD, Broglio SP, Knight K, Leeds D, Lynall RC, D'Lauro C, Register-Mihalik J, Kroshus E, McCrea M, McAllister TW, Kerr ZY, Hoy A, Kelly L, Master C, Ortega J, Port N, Campbell CD, Svoboda CSJ, Putukian M, Chrisman SPD, Langford D, McGinty G, Jackson JC, Cameron KL, James Susmarski A, DiFiori J, Goldman JT, Benjamin H, Buckley T, Kaminski T, Clugston JR, O'Donnell PG, Feigenbaum L, Eckner JT, Mihalik JP, Anderson S, Kontos A, Brooks MA, Miles C, Lintner L. Optimizing Concussion Care Seeking: A Longitudinal Analysis of Recovery. Am J Sports Med 2023; 51:214-224. [PMID: 36412549 DOI: 10.1177/03635465221135771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately half of concussions go undisclosed and therefore undiagnosed. Among diagnosed concussions, 51% to 64% receive delayed medical care. Understanding the influence of undiagnosed concussions and delayed medical care would inform medical and education practices. PURPOSE To compare postconcussion longitudinal clinical outcomes among (1) individuals with no concussion history, all previous concussions diagnosed, and ≥1 previous concussion undiagnosed, as well as (2) those who have delayed versus immediate symptom onset, symptom reporting, and removal from activity after concussion. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS Participants included 2758 military academy cadets and intercollegiate athletes diagnosed with concussion in the CARE Consortium. We determined (1) each participant's previous concussion diagnosis status self-reported at baseline (no history, all diagnosed, ≥1 undiagnosed) and (2) whether the participant had delayed or immediate symptom onset, symptom reporting, and removal from activity. We compared symptom severities, cognition, balance, and recovery duration at baseline, 24 to 48 hours, date of asymptomatic status, and date of unrestricted return to activity using tests of parallel profiles. RESULTS The ≥1 undiagnosed concussion group had higher baseline symptom burdens (P < .001) than the other 2 groups and poorer baseline verbal memory performance (P = .001) than the all diagnosed group; however, they became asymptomatic and returned to activity sooner than those with no history. Cadets/athletes who delayed symptom reporting had higher symptom burdens 24 to 48 hours after injury (mean ± SE; delayed, 28.8 ± 0.8; immediate, 20.6 ± 0.7), took a median difference of 2 days longer to become asymptomatic, and took 3 days longer to return to activity than those who had immediate symptom reporting. For every 30 minutes of continued participation after injury, days to asymptomatic status increased 8.1% (95% CI, 0.3%-16.4%). CONCLUSION Clinicians should expect that cadets/athletes who delay reporting concussion symptoms will have acutely higher symptom burdens and take 2 days longer to become asymptomatic. Educational messaging should emphasize the clinical benefits of seeking immediate care for concussion-like symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne D Schmidt
- UGA Concussion Research Laboratory and Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Steven P Broglio
- Michigan Concussion Center and School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kristen Knight
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Daniel Leeds
- Computer and Information Sciences, Fordham University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert C Lynall
- UGA Concussion Research Laboratory and Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Christopher D'Lauro
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
| | - Johna Register-Mihalik
- Matthew Gfeller Research Center and STAR Heel Performance Laboratory, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily Kroshus
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, and Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michael McCrea
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tom W McAllister
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Zachary Y Kerr
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - April Hoy
- School of Behavioral and Applied Sciences, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California, USA
| | - Louise Kelly
- Department of Exercise Science, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Christina Master
- Division of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Justus Ortega
- Department of Kinesiology and Recreation Administration, Humboldt State University, Humbolt, California, USA
| | - Nicholas Port
- School of Optometry, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
| | | | | | - Margot Putukian
- Athletic Medicine, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sara P D Chrisman
- Center for Child Health, Behavior and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dianne Langford
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gerald McGinty
- United States Air Force Academy, Air Force Academy, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Kenneth L Cameron
- Keller Army Hospital, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA
| | - Adam James Susmarski
- Department Head Brigade Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - John DiFiori
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua T Goldman
- Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Holly Benjamin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas Buckley
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Thomas Kaminski
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - James R Clugston
- Community Health and Family Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | | | - Luis Feigenbaum
- Department of Physical Therapy, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - James T Eckner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jason P Mihalik
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Anthony Kontos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - M Alison Brooks
- Department of Orthopedics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christopher Miles
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Laura Lintner
- Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.,Investigation performed at the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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Thorne J, Markovic S, Chih H, Thomas E, Jefferson A, Aoun S, Fitzgerald M, Hellewell S. Healthcare choices following mild traumatic brain injury in Australia. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:858. [PMID: 35788224 PMCID: PMC9254542 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate data on the types of healthcare people seek in the early stages following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in Australia is lacking. We sought to investigate the types of healthcare people seek following mTBI, including seeking no care at all; ascertain the demographic, pre- and peri-injury factors, and symptom characteristics associated with the care that people access; and examine whether choice of care is associated with symptomatic recovery and quality of life. METHODS An online retrospective survey of Australians aged 18 to 65 years who had experienced a self-reported 'concussion' (mTBI) within the previous 18 months. Types of healthcare accessed were investigated, as well as those who did not seek any care. Data were analysed using frequency and percentages, chi-squared tests and logistic regression models. RESULTS A total of 201 respondents had experienced a self-reported 'concussion' but 21.4% of the respondents did not seek any care. Of the 183 respondents who sought healthcare, 52.5% attended a hospital Emergency Department, 41.0% attended a general practitioner and 6.6% accessed sports-based care. Compared to their counterparts, those who had a lower level of education (p = 0.001), had experienced previous mTBI (p = 0.045) or previous mental health issues (p = 0.009) were less likely to seek healthcare, whilst those who had experienced loss of consciousness (p = 0.014), anterograde (p = 0.044) or retrograde (p = 0.009) amnesia, and symptoms including drowsiness (p = 0.005), nausea (p = 0.040), and feeling slow (p = 0.031) were more likely to seek care. Those who did not seek care were more likely to recover within one month (AOR 4.90, 95%CI 1.51 - 15.89, p = 0.008), albeit the relatively large 95%CI warrants careful interpretation. Compared to seeking care, not seeking care was not found to be significantly associated with symptom resolution nor quality of life (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study provides unique insight into factors associated with healthcare utilisation in the early stages following mTBI, as well as outcomes associated with choice of care, including not seeking care. Delivering targeted community education on the signs and symptoms of mTBI, and the advantages of seeking care following injury is an important step forward in the management of this challenging condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta Thorne
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Shaun Markovic
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.,Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - HuiJun Chih
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Thomas
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Amanda Jefferson
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Samar Aoun
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.,La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Melinda Fitzgerald
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia
| | - Sarah Hellewell
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia. .,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia.
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