TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Qualitative inquiry explores health-related quality of life of female veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder
JO  - Military medicine
A1  - Haun, Jolie N.
A1  - Duffy, Allyson
A1  - Lind, Jason D.
A1  - Kisala, Pamela
A1  - Luther, Stephen L.
SP  - e1470
EP  - e1475
VL  - 181
IS  - 11
N2  - As the number of female veterans increases, health care systems must be prepared to meet the individualized needs of this population. To date, published data on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) focus on quantitative data and primarily represent the male population. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively explore the impact of PTSD on female veterans' HRQOL. A descriptive qualitative study used focus groups and demographic surveys to achieve data collection in a sample of veterans with PTSD. This report focuses on the analysis of a sample of 12 females to explore PTSD HRQOL experiences unique to female veterans. Female veterans reported several areas in which their HRQOL was impacted adversely in social participation, physical, cognitive, and emotional aspects of their lives. Issues with self-medication and substance abuse were also reported by participants. Female participants' perceptions about Veterans Health Administration were also discussed, highlighting unmet needs when receiving care for PTSD. These data provide unique insights from the perspective of female veterans with PTSD about their HRQOL and receiving care within the Veterans Health Administration health care system. These data can inform future research to better address the needs of female veterans living with PTSD.<br><br>Reprint & Copyright © 2016 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0026-4075
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.7205/MILMED-D-16-00064
ID  - ref1
ER  -