Stress Gym for Combat Casualty Patients

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: In Phase 1, focus groups were conducted with military nurses who treat combat-wounded patients and, separately, with combat-wounded patients. The aims of the study were to explore the lived experience of combat-wounded patients and the military nurses who care for them. In Phase2, the aims were for military nurses who treat combat-wounded patients to evaluate the web-based tailored cognitive/behavioral intervention called Stress Gym for its utility and effectiveness for their patients. The patients evaluated Stress Gym for a variety of factors, including utility and ease of use. Design: In Phase 1, the study was a qualitative phenomenological design. In Phase 2, the use of the intervention was a proof of concept design with military nurses and combat wounded patients in military medical treatment facilities (MTFs). Methods: In Phase 1, focus groups were conducted with military nurses and combat-wounded patients. In Phase 2, the nurses and patients logged on to Stress Gym, reviewed the 9 modules available, and completed a short evaluation of the website. Sample: In Phase 1, 20 military nurses participated, and 8 combat-wounded patients participated. There were 4 Air Force nurses, 8 Army nurses, and 8 Navy nurses. In addition, 4 Army patients and 4 Marine patients participated. In Phase 2, 124 military nurses and 5 combat-wounded patients participated. Analysis: In Phase 1, data were collected using descriptive phenomenological method. In Phase 2, data were analyzed using frequency and descriptive statistics, independent ttests, one-way ANOVA, and correlation. Findings: In Phase 1, themes common to nurses and patients were coping, shared experiences, finding meaning, psychosocial nursing care, families and bureaucratic structure. Thematic differences were the patients perspectives changed self while nurses described professional boundaries.