Objective: This study examined perceptions of unmet health services needs among native Puerto Rican Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans and family members (FMs) post deployment.
Methods: Investigators used qualitative methods to collect and analyze data from 8 veterans and 8 FMs (N = 16). All participants were native-born residents of Puerto Rico. Investigators conducted single, in-depth interviews with participants. They conducted 13/16 interviews in Spanish. Puerto Rican-Spanish speakers transcribed audio-taped interviews verbatim and then translated them into English for coding.
Results: Veterans' unmet needs included psychological evaluations, mental health services, support groups, medical evaluations, and pain treatment. Denial and stigma emerged as factors that deter Veterans from seeking mental health treatment. The need for family support groups also emerged from the data.
Conclusions: Native Puerto Rican Veterans and FMs identified several gaps in health services. Findings suggest the need for studies comparing the health services needs of Puerto Rican versus mainland OEF/OIF Veterans and families.