TBI task force identifies shortfalls in care

TBI task force identifies shortfalls in care
By Gina Cavallaro - gcavallaro@militarytimes.com
Posted : Saturday Jan 26, 2008 7:18:53 EST

An Army report on the cause, diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injuries among soldiers and Marines who have been in combat cited a number of gaps in services and care for those suffering TBI.

One in five soldiers and Marines returning from Iraq and Afghanistan may have suffered mild TBI, the task force estimated, and some may not be aware they need treatment.

“Many of the mild cases are overlooked,” Brig. Gen. Donald Bradshaw, commander of the Southeast Regional Medical Command and chairman of the TBI Task Force, said Jan. 17 at a press conference to release the report.

The task force of 17 medical professionals, writers and researchers from the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force conducted a review of policies governing TBI patient care, including diagnosis, education, research and case management.

The study was conducted between January and May. Task force members visited dozens of sites in the U.S., Germany and Puerto Rico, where they interviewed soldiers, family members, caregivers and TBI experts in and out of the military system.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/army_TBI.report_080126w/