Military Medics Insight into Providing Womens Health Services
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to gain better understanding of the military medics [Navy Independent Duty Corpsman, (IDC), Air Force Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT), Army Health Care Specialist, (68W)] experiences providing healthcare for women in the deployed or ship setting. An exploratory descriptive design informed by ethnography. One-time focus group or individual interviews. A total of 86 IDMT, IDC, 68W and one Coast Guard medic were recruited from a DoD medic conference and local military instillations. A constant comparative method reduced data into three themes. The three themes identified were: Training Fidelity, Advocate Leader, and The Challenges of Providing Patient Care. Training fidelity referred to foundational education courses through skills sustainment training. This theme was central to analysis as all education and training is intended to prepare medics for deployment. Advocate Leader refers to actions taken by medics to ensure the health and welfare of women. Though there were few women in forward deployed or ship settings, medics protected private health information, ensured gynecological medical supplies were available, and educated leaders about healthcare needs. The Challenges of Providing Patient Care theme included any reference to the delivery of health care in the deployed or ship setting. Deployment experience has convinced a number of medics that they needed additional womens healthcare training. They suggested training be provided in a step-wise fashion, beginning with initial, technical training courses and continuing through medical skills sustainment platforms. Implications for Military Nursing: Medics are an excellent conduit for reinforcing healthy messages and providing first line treatment to deployed military women. Nurses have been and continue to be an integral part of the exceptional training for medics. Nurses who specialize in womens health should seek opportunit
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 22, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1001869
Entities
People
- Candy Wilson
Organizations
- Geneva Foundation