Stakeholder-informed priorities for process improvement in Warfighter Brain Health efforts

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Military Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Blast overpressure exposure and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) are significant concerns for Warfighter Brain Health.
• Existing gaps in symptom recognition, education, and care navigation hinder effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify community-identified priorities for addressing blast- and mTBI-related challenges.
• To inform the development of targeted interventions and resources for military populations.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous web-based survey was administered to U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF)-affiliated stakeholders (N=64).
• Survey items focused on community issues, symptom priorities, dissemination audiences, tool needs, and preferred online formats.
• Descriptive analyses and weighted rank aggregation were used to prioritize findings.

Main Results:

• Key issues identified include medical knowledge deficits, limited access to specialized care, and difficulty obtaining timely information.
• High-priority areas include attention/concentration deficits, decision-making changes, mood disturbances, and suicidal ideation.
• Preferred dissemination formats include brief videos and personal testimonials, with clinicians and medics as primary audiences.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight the need to enhance clinical competency, improve information accessibility, and develop practical tools for assessment and symptom management.
• These priorities align with and support Department of Defense objectives for advancing brain health in military personnel.