Veterans Affairs committee  This is what we have heard from veterans. They do like the idea that there is a clinic that is veteran-friendly. It means that the majority of people who are at our clinic are either veterans or currently serving members. The pictures and most of the stuff we have around have a military theme.

Veterans Affairs committee  I think that has been talked about. Even at our clinic, we provide training for psychologists. We're in the process of developing curriculum to train residents and give them exposure to military-related trauma. The reason I got involved in treating veterans is that I did my residency at Ottawa and they had a six-month rotation at what was then NDMC.

Veterans Affairs committee  In the case of some of the younger vets, we're interviewing their parents. At our clinic we are treating the spouses but usually not the children, because that's a specialized service we would refer out. However, we may see the family and assess them. As for the question of whether or not PTSD can be transferred to somebody else, I probably wouldn't say that the other person has PTSD, but that person might be suffering similar symptoms.

Veterans Affairs committee  Sure. We try as much as we can to provide services locally. Our clinic and the clinic here in Ottawa and I think those across the whole network are connected by video conferencing. In Ontario it's called the Ontario Telemedicine Network. They are telling us that it's a completely secure line.

Veterans Affairs committee  At our clinic we have embedded a peer support coordinator. That is an individual who has had PTSD or an operational stress injury and has gone for treatment and has recovered to the degree that he can provide support to other peers and go through the whole program. Any patients who come to our clinic are referred for peer support.

Veterans Affairs committee  I'm assuming this committee has probably seen people from the military, and it's a different culture. For us as civilians--I speak for myself, as I'm not in the military--our culture is to try to find a family doctor, and then we know how to access services, but if you're coming from a different system and you get released, and you also have depression or problems with concentration, low motivation, finances, or your family, those add another barrier to trying to find out who you can see to access services in a community.

Veterans Affairs committee  Do you mean in 40 minutes of a...?

Veterans Affairs committee  I think 40 minutes would be quick. However, if you're seeing a clinician you're comfortable with and have a good rapport with and trust as someone working for your benefit and are therefore willing to tell them about traumatic things that most people would be afraid to talk about, yes, the clinician could make that diagnosis within the confines of those 40 minutes, if they asked enough questions.

Veterans Affairs committee  Well, I think it would be the same thing. I don't think I'd say we could do it quickly. What we do is that we look not only at what they're saying but also at how they're reacting, even before they come into the waiting room. For example, suppose somebody came in and said they're nervous or vigilant regarding their surroundings and that they are constantly checking.

Veterans Affairs committee  In part of the evaluation, we traditionally see their spouse or significant other.

Veterans Affairs committee  What I mean by the challenge of accessing services is that if you're an individual, for example, do you know you have a problem, and do you know where to go if you have that problem? That's one aspect, and it's based on the individual. Once you have identified that you potentially have a problem, whether it's depression or PTSD, how do you access service?

Veterans Affairs committee  In my experience, any time somebody is putting in a claim and waiting for a claim would be an added stress for them.

Veterans Affairs committee  That I'm not aware of.

Veterans Affairs committee  —or transition coming back from deployment?

Veterans Affairs committee  I think it's a matter of the continuity of care when somebody who is in service leaves and becomes a civilian. For that, there are transitional services available if somebody has already identified themselves as having a problem. Then it's easy for Veterans Affairs, I would assume, to take on that patient client, because the person has already been identified.