Is the military underserved?

[Piyush]

So, a fair portion of pre-meds seems to say that they have a strong desire to serve the under-served populations, be it in the downtown slums, or across the oceans in some third world country. However, I have never seen anyone call the military either as underserved or high-risk in terms of health care. I would like to know what ya all think about the military being undeserved... Vote NOW.

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[achamess]

Very good question Piyush. It will be a long time before I can be of use in this way, but I hope very much one day to provide medical care and aid to active and retired servicemen and women. It is the least I can do, I believe, to show the immense appreciation and respect I have for those who fight to protect us all.
-Alex

 

[Old Grunt]

The military isn't underserved to my knowledge. The number and types of doctors and where they are stationed is governed by doctrine.

My wife and I always felt that we got great care in the military.

 

[Perrotfish]

The military isn't underserved to my knowledge. The number and types of doctors and where they are stationed is governed by doctrine.

At least in the Navy the military is probably underserved right now and defniitely getting worse. Simple Math: every year they try to give out 250 HPSP scholarships, and they end up giving out a little over 60% of that. Then add the fact that half the doctors that actually did join are deployed right now and you have some very understaffed clinics.

 

[Maxprime]

The military isn't underserved to my knowledge. The number and types of doctors and where they are stationed is governed by doctrine.

My wife and I always felt that we got great care in the military.

I think the military does an incredible job with the resources they're given. But there are a few cases, especially in high cost specialties, where they're in trouble. All branches of the military have been critically short on neurosurgeons. IIRC, most of them are deployed outside of the US to care for active military and VA's are being increasingly staffed with civilians. Once transferred, I have heard of some absolutely fantastic care - especially in oncology.

The military has a pretty strong incentive to keep soldiers and their families healthy. 🙂

 

[Piyush]

Wow, we are seeing both sides of the story. I know the Canadian Forces is having a issue with too few health services staff...Probably why I am still being retained even though my waist just keeps increasing 😉...Its not that bad, just the old jeans don't fit no more ...

As for veteran issue: don't make much impact in Canada since healthcare to veterans is just as free as it is to general Canadian populations. However, it would certainly have a greater impact in the US. And I agree that medical services to veterans is provided more and more by civilians...

I was thinking that there would be loads of people with views about the military as an under served community, but I guess its not as hot a topic as under served communities in other countries...Guess people dont look at their own doorsteps before wanting to help out others.

 

[Maxprime]

I was thinking that there would be loads of people with views about the military as an under served community, but I guess its not as hot a topic as under served communities in other countries...Guess people dont look at their own doorsteps before wanting to help out others.

It's not very under served in the US - nobody is ignoring something 'on their own doorstep'.

 

[armybound]

At least in the Navy the military is probably underserved right now and defniitely getting worse. Simple Math: every year they try to give out 250 HPSP scholarships, and they end up giving out a little over 60% of that. Then add the fact that half the doctors that actually did join are deployed right now and you have some very understaffed clinics.

Military personnel aren't restricted to their military hospital, nor are military workers the only people working in military hospitals.

The military facilities could possibly be understaffed, but military personnel are not medically underserved.

 

[Old Grunt]

I think the military does an incredible job with the resources they're given. But there are a few cases, especially in high cost specialties, where they're in trouble. All branches of the military have been critically short on neurosurgeons. IIRC, most of them are deployed outside of the US to care for active military and VA's are being increasingly staffed with civilians. Once transferred, I have heard of some absolutely fantastic care - especially in oncology.

The military has a pretty strong incentive to keep soldiers and their families healthy. 🙂

The VA is not technically part of the military, just a point of clarification.

 

[Old Grunt]

At least in the Navy the military is probably underserved right now and defniitely getting worse. Simple Math: every year they try to give out 250 HPSP scholarships, and they end up giving out a little over 60% of that. Then add the fact that half the doctors that actually did join are deployed right now and you have some very understaffed clinics.

Hmmm. Maybe you are correct. It certainly wasn't my experience when I got out in '05, but that is anecdotal so take it for what it is worth.

 

[Drogba]

It's not very under served in the US - nobody is ignoring something 'on their own doorstep'.

Not only that but since when is geographic proximity the most important deciding factor in lending your services? Some distribute them primarily with need in mind.

 

[midn]

Well, there are some dumb military docs (I had some bad experiences with the medical system during my first summer training of ROTC), and that is an underserving of talent. I'm sure the same could be applied to civilian medicine though.

I've never heard of problems of people getting medical attention through the military, only the quality is the most common complaint I hear. I'm not "in-the-know" though.