An Occupational Therapy Veteran Resource Guide

Currently, there are limited resources available to occupational therapists working with the veteran population. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is often confusing and complex for many health care workers to understand. An extensive literature review was conducted and the research indicated there is a need for an occupational therapy resource guide which includes a working knowledge of military culture, The Department of Veterans Affairs eligibility requirements and access, military priority conditions as well as military specific assessments. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to develop a guide that allows occupational therapists working with the veteran population to gain foundational knowledge on the military culture, information regarding VA access and eligibility, military priority medical conditions as well as military specific assessments. The product developed consists of four sections including: military culture, VA access and eligibility, military medical priority conditions and military specific assessments. The product is designed to be a guide for occupational therapists to advocate for the veteran population, educate occupational therapists as well as other health care professionals on military priority medical conditions and military specific assessments to utilize in various facilities. The guide can be used to consult with other health care professionals in regards to gaining access and receiving services through the VA