Characterizing Methods for Surveying Partner Nation Medical Capabilities

Area of Science:

• Military Medicine
• Global Health Engagement
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Medical capability surveys assess partner nation healthcare resources for U.S. service member care.
• Current survey methods are decentralized, leading to redundancy and potential gaps in force health protection.
• Understanding partner capabilities is crucial for effective mission planning and risk mitigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore current practices and identify areas for improvement in medical capability surveys.
• To inform the development of standardized procedures and a centralized system for survey data.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 12 semi-structured focus groups with representatives from U.S. Africa Command and its components.
• Discussions covered survey methods, guidance, content, and utilization in medical planning.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes and subthemes.

Main Results:

• Identified five overarching themes: survey guidance, methods/tools, content/focus, archiving/sharing, and survey utilization.
• Lack of standardized guidance and a centralized repository hinders effective survey implementation.
• Current practices are often fragmented and locally managed.

Conclusions:

• Standardized guidance, templates, and training are recommended to improve survey accuracy and completeness.
• Establishing a Department of Defense (DoD) collaborative depot for surveys is crucial for accessibility and efficiency.
• These improvements can enhance medical planning, force health protection, and overall mission readiness.