Basis and Implementation of Trusted Care across the U.S. Air Force Medical Services
Abstract
The Air Force Medical Services (AFMS) health system is a global enterprise tasked with caring for thousands of Service members and their families. In an effort to improve its ability to effectively accomplish its mission, the AFMS has launched out on a high reliability-driven journey, named Trusted Care that aims to improve safety, reliability, and resilience by enhancing the culture of front line staff, intermediate leaders, senior leaders, and others in delivery of preventative medicine and healthcare. In the study we: (1) describe the AFMS approach to achieving high reliability and (2) present preliminary findings from survey data obtained from AFMS personnel that participated in the Trusted Care implementation process. Descriptive analysis of that data suggests that, although the majority of respondents supported and utilized some of the available Trusted Care tools and resources (e.g., Huddles and CPI Management Boards), internet-based tools (e.g., social media) were not as well embraced to date. In support of achieving high reliability, a majority of stakeholders reported that they are actively engaged in the change management approach and feel comfortable and secure elevating concerns suggesting that the Trusted Care approach has instituted steps necessary to creating a psychologically safe culture across the AFMS. Furthermore, there was acceptance and application of the change management approaches with stakeholder feedback suggesting that recommendations at the front line are being acted upon and implemented. The net outcome of these findings indicate that, although the AFMS is maturing as a high reliability culture, there areas that require continued attention and improvement in the Trusted Care approach.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1084145
Entities
People
- Amanda Lewanski
- Beth Y. Kohsin
- Helen Phipps
- Jacklin Byers
- Jaime Nichols
- Kimberly A. Sencindiver
- Michael J Fea
- Michele Y Shelton
- Paul J. Schroeder
- Robert L Carlsen
- Ronda Dimaggio
- Ross Brown
- Sharon Mcloughlin
- Theresa D Clark