Perceptions of Army Medicine -- Should We Focus on a Better Product or on More Innovative Public Relations

Abstract

Army medicine and the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) have been subject to considerable scrutiny since early 1986. There is a growing consensus that military medicine has failed in its dual mission--the AMEDD is not ready to go to war, and it is unable to provide medical care to its authorized beneficiaries. Additionally, criticism and negative publicity have significantly tarnished the AMEDD's image and devastated the morale of its members. The essential question being asked in this study is whether or not the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) can perform its dual mission--wartime medical readiness and peacetime medical care. Obviously, if the AMEDD can perform both missions, then it needs a better public relations program to clear up misperceptions. Conversely, if the AMEDD cannot perform both missions, then it needs to listen to critics and make appropriate corrections. To answer the question, this author will analyze three critical areas: go to war issues, peacetime medical care problems, and leadership. (GC/AW)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA209149

Entities

People

  • William F. Hughes

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aeromedical Evacuation
  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Medical Evacuation
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Education
  • Military Medicine
  • Patient Care
  • Personnel Management
  • Physicians
  • Public Relations
  • Students
  • Therapy
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.