Neuropsychological Practice with Veterans

by Springer Publishing Company

Overview

"In Neuropsychological Practice with Veterans, Bush endeavors to compile a comprehensive account of how neuropsychological research, assessment, and treatment of veterans are impacted by military status. He succeeds brilliantly with this undertaking...[T]his is an essential text for those working with active duty service members and veterans, and is highly recommended to all those seeking new perspectives."--Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society

"In Neuropsychological Practice with Veterans, Dr. Shane S. Bush provides a multifaceted overview of neuropsychological assessments and treatments associated with war veterans who have suffered from traumatic brain injury (TBI) during their service."--Somatic Psychotherapy Today

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), afflicting approximately one third of injured veterans returning from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, is considered the signature injury in these conflicts. In addition to TBI, symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression often afflict these veterans and contribute to neurological symptoms. This is the first volume to provide a comprehensive overview of neuropsychologically grounded assessment, treatment, training, and trends for clinicians who work with this population.

Encompassing the writings of clinicians and researchers experienced in working with the Veterans Administration (VA) population, the book is grounded in an understanding of the unique culture of the veteran with its specialized service delivery methods and procedures. In addition to its focus on veterans with TBI, the text also addresses the assessment and treatment of aging veterans of previous military conflicts and of combat and non-combat veterans with neurological and emotional problems related to aging, substance abuse, HIV/hepatitis, psychiatric disorders, and other problems.

Key Features:

• Addresses the growing need for neuropsychological assessment and treatment of returning veterans as well as aging veterans of earlier conflicts
• Focuses on traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depression
• Discusses assessment of malingering (faking); benefits, pension, return-to-work evaluations; polytrauma management; and training concerns
• Written by clinicians and researchers experienced in working with veterans
• Edited by a neuropsychology specialist who is well known in the VA community

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780826108067
Publisher:	Springer Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/07/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	424
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Shane S. Bush, Ph.D., ABPP, ABN is the Director of Long Island Neuropsychology, P.C., a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University School of Medicine, and a neuropsychologist with the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.

Table of Contents

"

PREFACE

PART I: NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT

1. Neuropsychological Assessment Methods and Procedures: Inpatient and Outpatient VA Settings

2. Improbable Neuropsychological Presentations: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management

3. Neuropsychological Treatment of Veterans

4. Neuropsychology and Polytrauma Services

PART II: INJURIES, ILLNESSES, AND DISORDERS

5. Traumatic Brain Injury in Veterans

6. Blast from the Past and Present: A Review of Blast-Related Injury in Military Personnel and Veterans

7. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Psychological and Neuropsychological Perspectives

8. Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Veterans

9. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis

10. Substance Use Disorders

11. Neuropsychological Conditions Experienced Solely or More Commonly by Military and Veteran Populations

PART III: TRAINING, ETHICS, AND TRENDS

12. Training and Supervision in Neuropsychology within the Department of Veterans Affairs

13. Neuropsychological Program Development: Integration and Innovation

14. Ethical Considerations in the Neuropsychological Evaluation and Treatment of Veterans

15. History and Future Directions of Neuropsychology in the Department of Veterans Affairs

Index

"

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Christopher J Graver, PhD, ABPP-CN(Madigan Healthcare System)
Description: Given the numerous complexities of healthcare in the VA system, a book on practice in this environment holds a certain appeal for those working in the system or those new to the system. This book covers the multitude of unique issues neuropsychologists encounter in providing care to veterans.
Purpose: The aim is to provide neuropsychologists with a review of the relevant literature and guidance for processes in the Veteran's Administration healthcare system to improve the quality of care.
Audience: The book is intended for neuropsychologists practicing with veterans. It is written at an appropriate level by top-notch contributing authors who are leaders in the field.
Features: A number of relevant topics are covered up front. The book discusses the role of neuropsychologists in the VA system, the types of patients seen, and some of the major issues confronting neuropsychologists, including disability contexts and dissimulation. Chapters cover treatment in general as well as polytrauma services before considering different conditions seen in the VA setting. It is clear why traumatic brain injury deserves special treatment in a book focused on veterans, given the war injuries and the politics surrounding this diagnosis. Although the content is very good up until this point, the chapter on brain injury lacks pertinent and current references to the literature, and presents a somewhat biased perspective. The same critique holds for the PTSD chapter. Subsequent chapters are equivocal as to their value in a book specifically on veterans, but they are adequate in their own right with regard to the condition. The final chapter revives some relevant topics, such as heat exposure, gravity-induced loss of consciousness, Gulf War Syndrome, and Agent Orange exposure, among other military-specific conditions.
Assessment: The content of this book is generally good, although some chapters present an incomplete review of the literature and some topics are not specifically relevant to veterans, adding little to the focus of the book. With more focused and condensed coverage of only the pertinent issues, this could be a much more powerful reference for VA neuropsychologists.

Doody's Review Service