Ohio University Considerations of Vulnerable Populations in Healthcare Questions

reflect on the interview with James Clemente, who addressed Veterans as a vulnerable population: and to critically think and apply his responses, and psychology coursework, to your profession as a veteran and future mental health counselor (think as a veteran and future mental health counselor) .

1. What are the unique qualities, of the veteran population, that were mentioned in the interview with James? Please list at least two and why they are unique to this population.
2. What is the one strategy that James mentioned that he felt worked with the veteran population? Please make sure you mention the strategy and explain why James feels that it works well.
3. What is the one factor/element James said that he would change, if he could, regarding healthcare for veterans? Explain why he might have stated this one factor/element?

THIS IS THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW:

Considerations of Vulnerable Populations in Healthcare/interview with James Clemente, BS (1987- Entered the Army, 1988- promoted to Specialist, 1989- Involved in the Invasion of Panama, 1990- Promoted to Sergeant and Graduated Ranger School, Jumpmaster school, Pathfinder School, 1991- Gulf War 1st round, 1992- Promoted to Staff Sergeant, 1994- Left the Ranger Regiment and went Special Forces 7th Group at Ft. Bragg, NC., 1995- Special Forces, Balkan Wars 1996-1997 Bosnia, Italy, Europe, 1998 Promoted to Sergeant First Class, 1999-2007- Urban training, Desert War, 2007 Retired)

1. What do you feel are the qualities, of the individuals that you interact with, that makes them a vulnerable population? Some veterans fought in wars or conflicts, Vietnam for example, that were not welcomed home and did not received the attention they deserved. It depends on the stigma that was attached to the war/conflict on how their care was handled. It is essential to help veterans develop appropriate and healthy coping skills. In order to do that they have to have access to individuals that fully grasp what they have been through; thus it would be beneficial to have them work with veterans who have developed good coping skills.
2. What are the unique considerations that you keep in mind when you interact with this population; that you might not take into consideration if you were dealing with a different population? There is an immediate connection between veterans and there is power in that connection. It is more difficult for an outsider to fully understand and so there is an element of educating those that are around the veteran so that they can relate and communicate more effectively.
3. Have you found strategies that work well with this particular population; to make your interactions more successful? I feel the best strategy is to work with veterans as myself and then together come up with a strategy that works for each veteran. It all depends on the individual’s circumstance how the strategy can be best implemented which is why working together with other veterans helps with the process.
4. What are the main struggles that you feel this particular population faces? Timeliness of care. Veteran’s healthcare is complex and there is so much red tape and hoops to jump through it is a difficult system to navigate. Unless you are healthy enough to fight for what you need then you don’t get it. The VA has become socialized medicine andthey need to fix the root problems for it to actually work the way it should.
5. If you could change one element, or one factor, of the circumstances this population faces what would it be?
   Eliminating the red tape that every veteran has to go through just to get the care they need and deserve.