Search

Analysis of military Graduate Medical Education (GME) remains in the discussion forefront as resources continue to face scrutiny along with military-specific obligation challenges. The Military Health System Quadruple Aim of Better Care, Better Health, Lower Cost, and Increased Readiness continues to drive debate of the right approach to both GME and Graduate Allied Health education. In this paper, we expand the discussion beyond traditional physician-focused GME and include the military's highly trained allied health specialists. Graduate Allied Health medical providers provide quality and effective medical care to the military's service members and dependents. These specialists also carry a significant deployment and operational medicine footprint complimenting core physician medical specialties delivering cost-efficient, optimal patient care and providing a ready force. This paper addresses GME and GAH interprofessionalism, institutional culture endorsement, patient safety, increasing demand, research productivity, and encouraging physician retention altogether benefiting the Military Health System. This institution's support for the interprofessional GME model works well, expanding physician and GAH specialists' professional application and knowledge while garnering mutual respect across all medical disciplines ultimately benefiting all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonprescription medication (i.e., "over-the-counter") programs have historically been popular at many military treatment facilities. These programs were developed to provide a mechanism through which active duty members could obtain certain nonprescription medications without seeing a health care provider. The goal of such programs was to reduce demand on health care provider appointments and operational costs associated with such visits. Coast Guard military treatment facilities are encouraged to provide the service. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate whether the nonprescription medication program offered at the Coast Guard Alameda pharmacy reduced demand on health care provider appointments for self-limiting conditions and reduced costs associated with such visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]