General practice in the Armed Forces: a definition and model

Armed Forces General Practice is in an unprecedented time of challenge with the demands of contiguous worldwide operations in austere environments, reorganisation of defence, budgetary constraints and manpower shortfalls. We propose a model of this crucial area of military medical care as a key academic and practical reference point, which will help retain, and perhaps even enable, the development of this clinical speciality over the next decade. It provides a formalised definition and a basis for education, training and research in Military General Practice; it also has the advantage of highlighting the all-encompassing nature of military primary care when compared to the nearest equivalent model--that of civilian General Practice.