Military Medicine Is in Trouble: Complete Reassessment Needed
HRD-79-107
Published: Aug 16, 1979. Publicly Released: Aug 16, 1979.
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Highlights
Since the end of the draft in 1973, the military's direct medical care system has experienced a gap between the number of military physicians it has available and the number needed to provide medical care, seriously impairing the system's ability to meet peacetime medical needs efficiently and effectively. Hospital operations have been hampered by the lack of physicians as has the ability of active-duty members to obtain medical care.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should clarify and formally recognize policies regarding: (1) who the military's direct medical care system will serve in peacetime; and (2) how and to what extent beneficiaries in the direct care system as a result of the policies adopted would receive the assistance needed to obtain medical care from other sources. Congress should reevaluate the role and structure of the military medical care system and direct DOD to establish a structure that will improve its ability to serve beneficiaries in peacetime. Congress should also consider other alternatives discussed in this report as well as others that may be presented from other sources. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
Congress has taken actions to address the problems discussed in the report. Congress amended U.S. Code title 10, section 1087, in 1982 to allow for sizing of military hospitals and clinics based on: life-cycle-cost-effectiveness; staff availability; realistic workload projections; and teaching and training requirements. This action was recommended in HRD-81-24. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should improve the environment in which military physicians practice medicine to the extent practicable by: (1) reducing or eliminating emergency room duties for specialists, particularly those who do not have routine exposure to general medical practices; (2) reducing physicians' nonmedical duties; and (3) increasing the length of physicians' assignments at specific hospitals. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Most of the deficiencies that this recommendation was designed to correct were caused by a shortage of medical personnel. Since that time, DOD has reduced the physician shortages. Scheduled work in the quality assurance area should examine the emergency room issues involved in this recommendation.
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