Post-Deployment Health Clinical Practice Guideline
Toolbox Fact Sheet
The DoD Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC) is proud to present the PDH-CPG Desk Reference Toolbox. It contains tools that were designed to assist primary care providers in integrating the DoD/VA Post-Deployment Health Clinical Practice Guideline (PDH-CPG) into their practice with the ultimate goal of providing a high standard of care to patients who present with deployment-related health concerns. Included in the Toolbox are Toolbox Reference Cards and four CDs that provide additional reference and training materials. The Toolbox Provider Reference Pocket Cards contain summarized information on the PDHCPG; supporting guidelines for medically unexplained symptoms, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and deployment-specific clinical guidance. They are organized into easy to locate color-coded categories.
Toolbox Provider Reference Pocket Cards
Contact Information and Resources: Quick access to phone and electronic information on DHCC Clinician and Service Member Helplines and Specialized Care Program PDH Guideline Elements: PDH-CPG algorithms and clinic visit guidance, including how to ask the deployment-related screening question: “Is your health concern today related to a deployment?” and how to code a deployment-related visit Specific Medical Conditions and Concerns: Summary information on managing a variety of deployment-related health concerns (e.g., depleted uranium, medically unexplained symptoms) Risk Communication: Methods to integrate health risk communication into a deploymentrelated healthcare encounter Screening and Outcome Measures: Primers for forms used during deployment-related healthcare visits (e.g., DD Forms 2795, 2796, 2844, 2900; SF 36; and PTSD Checklist) Training: A brief summary of currently available PDH-CPG education and training materials Process Improvement and Metrics: A summary of metrics used in deployment-related healthcare
Where, When, How to Use the Toolbox
The PDH-CPG Desk Reference Toolbox is sized to fit easily on a desktop. The pocket-sized laminated reference cards can be brought into the exam room for quick and easy reference during a patient encounter. In addition, the entire content of the Toolbox and additional material for implementing the PDH-CPG including policies, forms, health assessment tools, fact sheets, and PowerPoint presentations are available on the DHCC Web site www.PDHealth.mil.
Updates/New Provider Reference Pocket Cards
New and updated provider reference cards are produced as information changes, additional health concerns emerge, and associated guidance is developed. The new/updated cards are made available on the Desk Reference Toolbox Page on www.PDHealth.mil and can be attached to the blank cards in the Toolbox.
Distribution of Toolboxes
The DHCC has been distributing Toolboxes to primary care providers in all military medical treatment facilities since July 2004. For information on how to obtain a Toolbox, please contact us by phone on the DHCC Clinician Helpline at (866) 559-1627 (DSN 642-0907) and request Toolbox assistance, or through email at pdhealth@amedd.army.mil.
18 Sep 06