Development, implementation, and outcomes of a residential vocational rehabilitation program for injured Service members and Veterans

Abstract

Background: The Service member Transitional Advanced Rehabilitation Program (STAR) is a novel model designed to promote interdisciplinary collaboration while delivering comprehensive physical, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation services. The STAR program was established as a pilot program in 2011 and is now approved for permanent continuation. It is housed in the Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Center at Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. Objective: The present study introduces the development, implementation, participant characteristics and five-year program outcomes of the STAR program. Methods: A paired sample t-test was employed to compare pre and posttest functioning in the following areas: physical, mental and emotional, vocational, and community integration. Mixed analysis of variance was further employed to determine the impact of demographic variables such as age, gender, race/ethnicity and marriage status on recovery. Results: Statistically significant improvements in physical, mental and emotional, and vocational functioning was found in participants after completion of the STAR program. Regarding demographic variables, only marital status appeared to impact PTSD recovery. Conclusions: The STAR program's vocational rehabilitation and community reintegration services, as well as efforts to improve physical and psychological functioning, have demonstrated positive outcomes. Overall, the development and implementation of the program has been highly successful.