Senior Steven L
Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
BMJ Mil Health. 2020 Aug;166(4):249-253. doi: 10.1136/jramc-2018-001107. Epub 2018 Dec 15.
Local authorities and other service providers need data on their local ex-military communities to be able to plan services. However, published research and data may not be applicable to the local population. Qualitative research offers a relatively low-cost way to get insights into the needs of local ex-military communities.
A pilot study using in-depth interviews with a small convenience sample of former ex-Army residents of Tameside. Framework analysis was used to identify and group themes arising from the data. This study was conducted using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.
While participants saw mental health as a particular challenge, they felt that it tends to get disproportionate attention relative to other needs. The study identified potential barriers to accessing health services that arise from an interaction between aspects of military and civilian healthcare culture and practices. Participants also said that military service could affect the health of both partners and children and that these effects might be more pronounced at key times, such as during adolescence.
Participants' perceptions of the health of former members of the Armed forces reflect the published epidemiological literature. This suggests that qualitative data can be valid for understanding the health needs of local ex-military communities. Further research is needed to test the findings here with a broader group of ex-military personnel, to explore the barriers faced in accessing healthcare and to understand the health needs of the families of ex-service personnel.
地方当局和其他服务提供商需要有关当地退伍军人社区的数据，以便能够规划服务。然而，已发表的研究和数据可能不适用于当地人口。定性研究提供了一种相对低成本的方法，以深入了解当地退伍军人社区的需求。
一项试点研究，对泰姆赛德（Tameside）的一小部分方便抽样的前陆军居民进行了深入访谈。采用框架分析法对数据中出现的主题进行识别和分组。本研究采用定性研究报告统一标准进行。
虽然参与者认为心理健康是一个特别的挑战，但他们觉得相对于其他需求，心理健康往往得到了不成比例的关注。该研究确定了由于军事和民用医疗文化及实践方面的相互作用而产生的获取医疗服务的潜在障碍。参与者还表示，服兵役可能会影响伴侣和子女的健康，而且这些影响在关键时期可能会更加明显，比如在青春期。
参与者对武装部队退伍军人健康状况的看法反映了已发表的流行病学文献。这表明定性数据对于理解当地退伍军人社区的健康需求可能是有效的。需要进一步的研究，以更广泛的退伍军人群体来检验这里的研究结果，探索获取医疗保健方面面临的障碍，并了解退伍军人家庭的健康需求。
