Perceived Need and Unmet Need for Vocational, Mental Health, and Other Support Services After Severe Lower-Extremity Trauma

The results suggest a significant amount of unmet need for vocational and mental health services during the first year after hospitalization in the severe lower-extremity trauma population with perceived need. Areas for future research are to objectively measure need and unmet need, and further investigate the disparities in unmet need by race and treatment type in this patient population. Recommendations for trauma centers include education and screening for mental health conditions and the need for support services during hospitalization and clinic visits, and increasing communication between surgeons and providers specializing in vocational, psychological, and socioeconomic issues.