Preparing for the first appointment: integrating veteran care into your practice

Presented by Dr Natalie Boulton and Sean Hewitt in partnership with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, this webinar, prepares general practitioners and primary care teams for one of the most important moments in veteran care—the first appointment. The transition from military to civilian life can involve profound changes in identity, structure, and health systems. For many veterans, the first interaction with a civilian clinician sets the tone for future engagement with healthcare.  

Dr Natalie Boulton is a former Royal Australian Navy officer and experienced GP who now leads a civilian practice caring for a large veteran community. She brings deep clinical insight into the practical challenges of integrating veteran care into everyday general practice. Sean Hewitt, an Australian Army veteran and lived-experience leader at Open Arms, provides an expert perspective on the realities of transition and the barriers many veterans face when seeking support.  

The session introduces a structured approach to the initial consultation that recognises the unique cultural and behavioural influences of military service. Participants will explore how military hierarchy, training, and command structures shape communication style, disclosure, and help-seeking behaviour. The webinar will also highlight how behaviours that may appear clinical in civilian practice can sometimes reflect learned conditioning from military environments.