RP, what's your experience been with military medicine? Mostly positive? Negative? How can it improve?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:26:11 -0400

I'm a 68W and have served as both line medic and clinic medic. But I rarely get to "AAR" my care after seeing my patients--if I do my job well, I never see them again. So let's talk about your experiences with military medicine, and ways we can improve the system to better suit the unique needs of our military culture. Feel free to discuss in the comments!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 6:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:30:01 -0400

Mostly positive, I wish all Americans had access to a health care system this good.

Never have to wait a long time for an appointment, doctors usually listen to what your saying and if they don't it's not hard to find a second opinion. I can get medications for free, sometimes I might have to wait for an hour or so... however I don't think that's unreasonable. Staff are usually more professional and thoughtful that nearby civilian hospitals... I could keep going. If I had to choose between losing half my retirement check or losing Tricare and military medicine. I would ditch half my retirement.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2016 6:33 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:33:31 -0400

You can always do a follow up with them, the great thing about alhta is it has the patients phone number. Whenever I treat a patient I just try to do whatever I'd want my medic to do if I was the patient

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Aug 5 at 2016 6:33 PM

PO1 Tony Holland — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:33:34 -0400

On my first ship the Chief Corpsman assumed that everyone was a malingerer - have an APC or a shot of penicillin was the mainstay of his clinical skills. Apart from that, I had very good experiences at every subsequent duty station. Best of all, unlike the VA, wait times were minimal.

At the VA my best caregiver was a Physician's Assistant fresh from duty in the Middle East - more caring and up-to-date than most the MD's I dealt with there.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 5 at 2016 7:46 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 19:46:49 -0400

Thankfully I've only had the experience with Military medicine in Vietnam all I can say now and forever is God bless the medics!

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Aug 5 at 2016 10:11 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 22:11:32 -0400

On base medical was always pretty good. I did have a problem with one health issue where all base doctors kept throwing Motrin at me. No one ever bothered to deal with the issue beyond that until a base doctor sent me to a local civilian doc who put me on meds that actually helped.

Medical hospital at Bremerton WA did some major dental surgery for me and did a great job. Was very happy with their care. When I left the service and came home, I had an issue and called them for help. Got through to the doctor with no issues and he talked me through it.

As a dependent, I was under base care on GITMO. Only one obstetrician in the middle of a base baby boom. She was tops. Can't say enough about her personal care before and handling of my emergency C section.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 5 at 2016 11:57 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 23:57:23 -0400

Like everything it depends. When an E-1 at A School I sat for a long time at GLAKES hospital waiting. Don't know how long as I passed out with 102 temp and woke up in a chill bath. So they didn't believe me when I said my lungs were filling and I had a temp. As an O-1 I had a small(?) stroke. That got people's attention and off to Long Beach I went. Recovered quickly and the care was good. Had two surgeries out on Adak but since I knew everyone, I just had to promise beers. I won't go into the fun the staff had with me when I was the Staff Civil Engineer for NRMC CAMPEN and needed a barium enema.

The big difference in care gap in the '90s was Ortho. MIL medicine was 15-20 years behind the curve. I wound up having my ACL done by the Seahawks Ortho as luckily they emptied out the Bremerton hospital for DS-1. From what I can tell, that gap has closed considerably since.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Aug 6 at 2016 1:27 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 01:27:22 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I am impressed you are reaching out! Many years later, when I see "our" BN's Chief Medic, Paul Carlson, I give him a hug! SFC CARLSON CARED!

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Aug 6 at 2016 2:50 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 02:50:30 -0400

There will always be Sick Call Rangers and other types of soldiers who come to get out of work, PT, etc. If you're a good medic then you can tell the difference. It's great to let your PA rip them a new one. PT isn't that hard; it can be uncomfortable. I thought the American Army was supposed to be "Strong" but the more of these idiots I see, the more I'm disappointed.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 4:22 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 04:22:45 -0400

I was turned away from the base medical clinic when I told them I knew something was wrong with my arm. They refused to do anything besides give my arm a squeeze and take my blood pressure telling me it was a torn muscle. A week later when I couldn't take it anymore my leadership demanded an X-Ray be taken, only to find out my arm had been fractured this entire time.

But this was a one time isolated bad experience. Hopefully the only one I'll have.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 10:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 10:30:41 -0400

If you're a clinic medic, a good way to receive feedback if to outright give them an ICE card. I don't feel there is anything wrong with the practice. But I also agree that calling them back later on works well too. Wonder how many people, especially medics, so this.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2016 2:26 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Aug 2016 14:26:51 -0400

My best experience with military medicine was when I got approval for Tricare Prime Remote.

Response by MSG Les Amaya made Aug 8 at 2016 9:05 AM

MSG Les Amaya — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 09:05:15 -0400

In a military setting you can do more than in a civilian setting so get the experience and learn as much as you can.