Who Takes Care of Doc: Care-Seeking Challenges of US Navy Enlisted Support Staff-Corpsmen

Navy corpsmen (medics) serving in Marine Corps units face unique barriers in seeking personal medical care because of their dual roles as caregivers and service members. The challenges of care quality, privacy, and self-care expectations in military contexts are amplified by operational demands and the close-knit nature of military communities, influencing corpsmen's health care-seeking behaviors and overall readiness. This study aims to identify the specific barriers and facilitators affecting treatment-seeking behaviors among Navy corpsmen in the III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan, to inform targeted interventions that support corpsmen's health and enhance operational effectiveness.

We conducted a secondary analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews and focus groups originally collected for an educational needs assessment as part of a curriculum reform project for Navy corpsmen. The dataset included 47 participants, including 31 health care workers, who provided insights into their experiences within the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan. Themes were inductively coded using Dedoose 9.2 with specific attention to challenges related to care-seeking behavior, such as complexities of receiving care within military units, issues of privacy, and stigma associated with seeking help from peers.

Variability in care quality emerged as a barrier, as inconsistent experiences eroded trust in the health care system. Privacy concerns, stemming from overlapping personal and professional environments, increased reluctance to seek care, especially for sensitive issues. The expectation of self-reliance further discouraged corpsmen from accessing formal health care services. However, professionalism among corpsmen acted as a facilitator, promoting trust and encouraging care-seeking behaviors even when treatment involved peers.

Addressing these barriers requires consistent training to ensure care quality, measures to improve confidentiality, and educational efforts to challenge self-reliance norms. Reinforcing professionalism can promote a supportive medical environment, enhancing corpsmen's health and operational readiness.