Female service members experience higher rates of injury compared to males, due to physiological differences, poorly fitted equipment, and female-specific health issues. They are also at greater risk of posttraumatic stress disorder and military sexual trauma. As more women transition to civilian life, many encounter difficulties accessing appropriate care, compounded by lack of military cultural competence among civilian healthcare providers and limited understanding of available services. This study aims to explore the impact of chronic pain on female Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans, their experiences in obtaining optimal healthcare, and their perceptions of healthcare needs. Qualitative data were collected from 23 Queensland-based ex-serving female ADF members with chronic pain (M = 52 years of age), through six focus groups (four online, two in-person). Participants had served in the Army (44%), Navy (30%), or Air Force (26%) for an average of 10.2 years, with pain duration ranging from four to 60 years. Data were analysed via an inductive thematic approach. Four main themes were developed, with corresponding sub-themes. Findings reveal how military culture, systemic healthcare barriers, and perceived poor provider understanding contribute to delayed diagnoses and below evidence-based standard care. Participants called for improved clinician training in military cultural awareness, trauma-informed care, and greater awareness of available services, emphasising the urgent need for gender- and veteran-informed approaches to support the health and wellbeing of female veterans. Recommendations will inform the development of an education module for primary care providers, with the goal of improving chronic pain outcomes for female veterans in Australia.
Mellor et al. (Thu,) studied this question.