A Multidisciplinary Approach to Screen Deployment-Limiting Health Conditions

Abstract

Disease non-battle injuries (DNBIs) are responsible for the majority of hospital admissions for soldiers in combat since the Vietnam War The U.S. Army prepares soldiers to deploy through a multistage process known as the Soldier Readiness Program (SRP). The current processes are reactive and address deployment-limiting health conditions (DLHCs) and the need for intervention and/or medical waivers late in the SRP process. This may compromise the quality and efficiency of pre-deployment medical clearance and result in DNBI medical evacuation from theater, which is costly and reduces the effectiveness of the unit. Implementation of a proactive and standardized screening process focused on behavioral health-related medical evacuations and psychotropic medication use will facilitate timely and effective interventions to improve readiness.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Dec 11, 2021
Source ID
10.1093/milmed/usab502

Entities

People

  • Brian White
  • Christina L Lichtinger
  • Donna Kido
  • Eamon Filan
  • Gary Stapolsky
  • Jason Cha
  • Nicole Sy

Organizations

  • Tripler Army Medical Center

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Trauma or Military Medicine