More corpsmen, psych teams for PTSD

[unhappycamper]

An OSCAR team for every RCT
Study: Less than 10 percent sought care.


More corpsmen, psych teams for PTSD
By Chris Amos - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday May 13, 2008 10:57:09 EDT

Within two years, the Navy plans to stand up 23 deployable psychiatric teams, enough to provide an embedded unit to every Marine regimental combat team, the Navy’s top doctor said.

The teams, known as Navy Operational Stress Control and Readiness teams, or OSCAR teams, were created two years ago. Seven teams have been fielded.

Each has four or five members. They are led by a psychiatrist or psychologist and include at least three corpsmen who hold the psychiatry technician Navy Enlisted Classification. Future teams of five could include social workers, occupational therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners.

Navy mental health care providers traditionally have been based at hospitals, but critics say that system is ill-suited to serve troops, especially in wartime.

“We want to put mental health professionals with our small-unit leaders,” Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam Robinson said. “We think if we can train them there. Tere’s a real synergy that can come. We can be there to help with treatment, training and surveillance.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/05/marine_corpsmen_051308w/