A-G Associates’ Post

When is something considered research...and who cares? As a #military #specialneeds family participating in the #Autism Care Demonstration (ACD), I've often wondered why there is no informed consent for the data DoD is collecting not only on my son, but my wife and I. It is not a comfortable feeling knowing that we are human subjects and our data is somehow being used for a demonstration that has been ongoing for over a decade. Even worse, the ACD has been cited by other organizations and authors as "proof" that applied behavior analysis (ABA) is not effective in the treatment of autism. As defined by law, research is a systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge. However, DoD claims the ACD is not research; yet opponents to #ABA still choose to point their fingers to the annual reports. https://lnkd.in/gTyhFrCd In my opinion, the ACD is mischaracterized as "not research" based on the federal definition. After all, the ACD is a systematic investigation based on the methodical approach DHA takes in gathering outcome measures. In addition, these measures are designed to provide "generalizable knowledge" that are laid out in the TRICARE Operations Manual. The overall goal of the ACD is to analyze, evaluate, and compare the quality, efficiency, convenience, and cost effectiveness of ABA services that do not constitute proven medical care - sounds like a research topic to me. In my mind, the ACD is better characterized as "exempted research." Now each agency conducting research is supposed to have the activity reviewed and approved by an institutional review board (IRB)...except for exempted research. So what does that mean? It means: ➡ No informed consent required ➡ No need to assess risk to human subjects ➡ No additional safeguards for children and individuals with impaired decision-making capacity Now back to the point about outside organizations using the ACD report to support their own conclusions. This may be research, but do you really want to cite a demonstration without the above IRB measures? How about research that anecdotally has caused harm to ABA patients and the provider network because of severe limitations imposed by policy? There is such a thing as good research and bad research. Bottom Line - The #exceptionalneeds community enrolled in #EFMP and receiving ABA services are being done a disservice. I hope the National Academies includes in their report a section on some of the potential ethical problems with the ACD. Photo from FreePik

Did you know? Veteran's rate for suicide is 1.5 times higher than the general public. Veterans have unique medical needs, especially when it comes to mental health. Suicide prevention is the number one clinical priority for the Veterans Health Administration. Physicians need to take special care of Veterans, being sensitive to their unique physical and mental needs. For physicians and clinicians who might be treating these individuals, start by asking these questions: -Have you ever served in the Armed Forces? -What did you do? -What was your job category -How did you serve? -Where did you serve? -Were you married while in service? TPN is proud to connect clinicians with CE courses related to working with veterans. Check them out! https://lnkd.in/etaw_mhG #Veterans #MentalHealth #SuicidePrevention

As a former VA hospitalist and intensivist myself, and as a “military brat” born on a base, from a family full of people who served on both maternal and paternal sides representing every service branch excluding the coast guard, I speak from both physician and patient experience. The VA is cutting edge in some domains, but at the local level around the nation most are not innovating. Many service units are barely treading water financially. Mental health in particular is highly stigmatized, within deeply entrenched hierarchical and outdated behavioral norms befitting military culture. While our active duty military is agile and capable of turning on a dime toward new and better battlefield strategies, the VA is not nearly so. Further, the VA is constrained by the federal budget, and every year federal agency spending hangs in suspense when the federal budget is being tossed about in political chest thumping or begging and pleading. Congress consistently will authorize vast spending on weapons in the form of monies for DOD “contractors” (read the Military-Industrial Complex). Organizations such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, RTX Corporation, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and many others have big money in lobbying and are a perennial source of votes regardless of party affiliation. Taxpayers typically approve of spending for production of *weapons and equipment* for “defense”, but short sightedly pay the *human resources* of active duty service members paltry wages and benefits. Military personnel and their families often live on shoestring budgets. When our military personnel leave the service, their VA benefits are under resourced. Those in political power, and those who are moneyed in general who’ve served and are eligible to receive care at the VAMCs, don’t frequently receive care at them. I’ve written my veterans who “serve” in office, both Congresspeople and Senators about my observations and concerns. The response has been underwhelming. This holds true for calls made to their offices regarding matters concerning healthcare in America. To say the experience has been demoralizing is an understatement. America absolutely can, and I argue has a moral, ethical, and legal mandate to do so much more for veterans.

Acudetox lowers the barriers to #AddictionTreatment, especially for #veterans. To learn more about this proven practice, check out this article in The Dallas Express by our lead therapist Esther Ontiveros Flores. https://lnkd.in/df943yYV

Mary Wiley's life was saved by CPR after she collapsed from sudden cardiac arrest during a regular morning workout at the Army base. Two soldiers performed CPR for 13 minutes before an AED and medical team arrived. Now, Mary is passionate about teaching CPR and helping others to be prepared for emergencies. Her story highlights the importance of knowing CPR. Since 70% of cardiac arrests happen at home, there’s a good chance when someone performs CPR, it will be on someone you know. “Don't think so much, just act because it works, and it saves lives. It dramatically changes somebody's outcome with just something so simple as even compressions only,” Mary said. As we recognize #NationalCPRandAEDAwarenessWeek, learn CPR and be ready to save a life, just like the soldiers who saved Mary’s. It’s a simple skill that can be the difference between life and death. Read more about Mary's inspiring journey: https://lnkd.in/eNpbYAq5 #CPRAwareness #AED #HeartHealth #LifeSaved #ArmyVeteran

https://lnkd.in/gSKdUivB there's a lot going on here, not the least of which is the increasing ability of medical professionals to detect 'disqualifying conditions' and the lag between revising 'disqualifying condition' lists and therapies/procedures/treatments that may treat them. however, the quote by the 'national security researcher' is moronic...sure, we need lots of people working on problems, but: 1) there's a way to do that without having them on active duty and 2) active duty members need to be deployable...people don't seem to comprehend the adverse affect on morale/retention, etc. that having a group of members who don't meet deployment standards, but are retained, have on the rest of the service. it really pisses people off when they are being repeatedly sent to a deployable unit, ship, etc., while others are left assigned to units where they are allowed to telework, take leave any time they want, etc. i certainly want people who WANT to be in the service IN the service, but standards were implemented for a reason. i'm also absolutely certain there have been successful, important people in the military who served, that were on the spectrum, due to the inability to diagnose. as long as we're making an educated, thoughtful decision to revise the criteria, it's risk assessment...however, our government doesn't seem too capable of doing that lately...

FIRST RESPONDERS AND VETERANS: As I look forward to those who I will meet and serve, and I look back at the RRT clients I have cleared thus far and all their success, there sits a hole in my heart for first responders, what they've witnessed while fulfilling their purpose to serve and protect, and how they may be suffering right now as I type up this message. Emotional turmoil, preoccupation, recurring thoughts about the past, an inability to see a positive future... even physical illness and chronic pain... are all symptoms related to experiences stuck in the unconscious mind. What I love about RRT (Rapid Resolution Therapy) is how it gets right to the center of that stuckness and unblocks it. Imagine you're trying to get down the hallway but there's a big boulder in your way. You can't get around it, you can't get over it nor under it… …but what if you could just blow it apart? That's what we do in “Free ‘n Clear” RRT sessions! And, unlike talk therapy, we don't make you relive your traumatic experiences. As a matter of fact, RRT sessions can be enjoyable, and I do most of the talking. Isn't that great? The worst thing that could happen is that you walk away feeling amazing and wondering if all your time in psychotherapy was a waste. (It wasn’t.) Right now, I AM HAPPENING TO YOU FOR A REASON. If you are an active or retired first responder or military and would like a “Free ‘n Clear” RRT session, I would like to provide this service to you for free, PRO BONO. You've done so much to keep us all safe; let's bring you a future that is satisfying, joyful, and full of incredible potential! Use the link below to book, and if you fall into this first responder category use code FIRSTRESPONDER. This code will expire on May 31, 2024. Link to book: https://lnkd.in/e8zyK2x9 Xo, Mary #firstresponders #veterans #ptsd

DFP Cardiff Conference 2024 CPD Invited Symposium Panel Showcase: Trauma and offending populations: Research and practice innovations – Millenium Lounge, Principality Stadium Cardiff 02.07.2024 at 9 am. Today, I am pleased to showcase Dr Jenny Mackay, Chartered Psychologist and Principal Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University. In addition to overseeing outreach and student volunteering, she teaches subjects related to forensic psychology and forensic mental health. As a Fellow of Advance HE, her extensive career in practitioner roles, spanning diverse forensic and non-forensic settings, underscores her commitment to aiding vulnerable populations. From delivering substance misuse interventions to facilitating offending behaviour programs, her experience includes providing psychological support in prisons and working with at-risk youth in Secure Children's Homes. Jenny's research focuses on intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, with a particular emphasis on understanding pathways to perpetration and the psychological mechanisms involved, especially concerning female perpetrators. She is dedicated to advancing policy and practice in this field, striving to develop interventions that align with the latest evidence base and effectively address the needs of perpetrators. Paper Title: The Importance of Trauma in Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse Perpetration. Abstract: While it remains a topic of debate, there has been an increasingly noticeable change in how intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration is understood, marked by a burgeoning body of research exploring its causes. Current insights reveal a multifaceted interaction of early-life experiences, psychopathology, and societal pressures. This presentation will centre on what research tells us about the impact of trauma in shaping the perpetration of IPV by individuals, advocating for a trauma-informed approach when engaging with those who engage in IPV. There will be an opportunity to ask questions following her presentation. #forensicpsychology #nottinghamtrentuniversity #intimatepartnerviolance

Approximately 5% of U.S. adults in any given year have #PTSD, with over 80% of those with PTSD not having served in the military. However, knowledge about the journey from a traumatic event to diagnosis and treatment is limited. Otsuka continues to invest in treatments for mental illnesses and brain diseases to meet the unmet needs of our patients, their caregivers, and the communities we serve. Through products, programs, policies, and advocacy, Otsuka-people will defy any limitation that stands in their way until every mind is valued. Discover our commitment to health for every mind: https://bit.ly/44Okime #PTSDAwarenessMonth #DefyLimitation

Approximately 5% of U.S. adults in any given year have #PTSD, with over 80% of those with PTSD not having served in the military. However, knowledge about the journey from a traumatic event to diagnosis and treatment is limited. Otsuka continues to invest in treatments for mental illnesses and brain diseases to meet the unmet needs of our patients, their caregivers, and the communities we serve. Through products, programs, policies, and advocacy, Otsuka-people will defy any limitation that stands in their way until every mind is valued. Discover our commitment to health for every mind: https://bit.ly/44Okime #PTSDAwarenessMonth #DefyLimitation