Health Care Utilization After Major Limb Loss in Adults (18-64) Receiving Care in the Military Health System From 2001 to 2017

OBJECTIVE

To characterize and quantify health care utilization of Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb loss.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Military treatment facilities and civilian health care facilities that accept TRICARE insurance across the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

A total 5950 adult Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb amputation(s) acquired between January 1st, 2001, and September 30th, 2017 (N=5950).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This study was an exploratory analysis designed to identify common care specialties, services, and devices utilized by Military Health System beneficiaries with major limb loss.

RESULTS

Most beneficiaries were retirees/dependents (63.3%), men (73.1%), and had a single amputation (88.7%), with a mean age of 42 years. Differences between beneficiary categories were found. Active-duty service members used a larger proportion of inpatient, emergency, primary care, physical and occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and psychiatry services than retirees/dependents. Most common procedures included "revision of amputation stump" (57.2%) for the active-duty population and "other amputation below knee" (24.3%) for the retirees/dependents.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the rehabilitation trajectories of beneficiaries receiving treatment for major limb loss in military and civilian care settings. The results could inform staffing decisions and training programs for military treatment facilities, American trauma centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and outpatient health care providers treating individuals with amputation.

An Essential Guide to Chiropractic in the United States Military Health System and Veterans Health Administration

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to provide an essential overview of chiropractic services in United States military and veterans' health care systems.

METHODS

We reviewed literature, legislation, and policies from 1936 through September 2021 pertaining to chiropractic services in the United States military and veterans' health systems. Using these sources and our combined experience in these systems, we identified fundamental themes in the delivery of chiropractic care in the health care systems of the Department of Defense (providing health care for active duty service members) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (providing health care for veterans) in main topic areas.

RESULTS

We identified 7 main topic areas relevant to the 2 systems: populations served by chiropractors; health care systems; integration; utilization and supply of chiropractic care; vetting of chiropractors; roles and evaluation of chiropractors; and oversight and leadership. Key information about chiropractic care in these systems was synthesized into the main topic areas. Benefits of high-quality within-system chiropractic care to active-duty service members and veterans are presented. The assets that within-system chiropractors bring to the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems are discussed for each main topic area.

CONCLUSION

This article contains an essential overview of chiropractic services in the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. It offers clarity regarding the integration of chiropractic services into these health care systems and includes a 1-page brief of talking points that may help better inform ongoing discussions of chiropractic services in these 2 different but intertwined environments.

Chiropractic in the United States Military Health System: A 25th-Anniversary Celebration of the Early Years

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to record noteworthy events that occurred during the early years of chiropractic in the United States Military Health System (MHS).

METHODS

We used mixed methods to create this historical account, including documents, artifacts, research papers, and reports from personal experiences.

RESULTS

Chiropractic care was first included in the MHS in 1995, after years of legislative activity. The initial program was a 3-year study of the feasibility and advisability of integrating chiropractic in the MHS. This period was called the Chiropractic Health Care Demonstration Project; 20 pioneering chiropractors began their MHS journeys at 10 military bases in fiscal year 1995. The Demonstration Project was extended for 2 more years to gather research data, and 3 additional military facilities were added during those years to accomplish that purpose. The Demonstration Project concluded in 1999. In 2000, Congress approved the development of permanent chiropractic services and benefits for members of the uniformed services. These new clinics opened in 2002.

CONCLUSION

This is the first article to chronicle the history of chiropractic in the MHS, and highlights some of the important events in the early years of chiropractors working within the MHS. Because of the efforts of the early MHS chiropractors to pave the way for a permanent chiropractic benefit for the deserving members of the United States uniformed services, chiropractic care is now offered at more than 60 United States military facilities.