LEARN: Navigating the Military Medical System, Part 1

Navigating an enormous medical bureaucracy is not simple, but it helps if you know some basic elements to begin.  While you may not have raised your right hand and taken an oath, you now are part of the military medical system.  (More about the pros/cons of that role in another blogpost.) 

If you're new to the military system, there is an entirely new language of acronyms and chain of command to understand.  You’ll become familiar with these terms and learn them over time, but as the caregiver and advocate, your role is to support the best communication and care possible for your family member. 

Excellent communication is critical, especially at the acute stage of an injury when things are moving very fast and you are still reeling from that phone call.  If you're an older caregiver and haven't had to deal with the military medical system for years, you also have a sharp learning curve, but ask questions and keep asking them until you obtain an answer.

Practice proactive documentation.  Create a notebook or carry a journal and keep it accessible.  Record all appointments, referrals, visits, names, dates, care team changes, and new appointments or practitioners. This notebook or series of journals becomes your documented timeline and invaluable since it recalls details for you when you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or have been in the medical system a long time.

Keep medical records on a thumb drive besides using the paper, images, and electronic records both the DoD and VA use.  Recognize that though changes are coming, there is not yet a seamless transition between both agencies and the records don't consistently mesh with each other. 

After a care team phone call, or an inquiry call you make, follow it with a brief email summarizing the call and any action steps.  You may not feel it necessary at the time, but be wise.  Staff changes, miscommunication and misunderstandings can be avoided or mitigated if you have detailed, accurate records.

Remain calm and civil.  You’ll receive better communication and sometimes, better care if you do.  Burning bridges with those whom you need to help you and your family is a very poor choice.  You are vital to good care, and with proper documentation of your communications and records, there is seldom a problem that cannot be resolved.  Be conscientious and prepared, and you're a step ahead!

Linda Kreter & 

VeteranCaregiver Team

The Value of the Written Word

Over the past few weeks I have received a lot of mail from various people in pretty high positions in the Government and the military as well as in various business categories. I have noticed an alarming trend in many of these which is to ignore writing errors. Spelling has flown out the window; punctuation is so bad that in some cases it is almost impossible to know the intention of the writer; and often they change tense or subject within the same sentence. I know we all make occasional mistakes, but for the most part, these are a one-off error. One error in message can be overlooked, twenty such errors are just careless and to my mind disrespectful of the recipient.

I know from my many years as a writer and an advocate that to be able to write a good and coherent letter, regardless of whether it is in the form of an email or snail-mail, makes the best impact on the reader. When mistakes are made, sometimes glaring mistakes, it lowers the credibility of the writer. Years ago, before we had computers to do so much for us, we relied on a dictionary and our own skills from our school days. There was then some excuse for poor writing skills, as not everyone had the advantage of good schooling. However, there is little excuse now, as even the most rudimentary word processing program has a spell checker and some type of correction for correct syntax.

The point I am making here is that in communication with anyone, either at the VA, the DoD or your Congressman, good writing is essential if you wish to appear a competent caregiver. I understand that for some, dyslexia or English as a second language may be a problem. However, you should be able to find someone to proof read your mail before risking sending something which is full of errors of spelling and grammar.

I do attribute this, in part, to the amount of texting and chat room use, where people tend to ignore mistakes. However, I am not talking about these relaxed and social interactions. For a formal communication, much more care needs to be taken if you are going to appear credible. As valuable advocates for our Vets it is important we do all we can to make our point clearly and concisely.