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Editorial
. 2023 Jun;169(3):280-284.
doi: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001699. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Framework for the evaluation of military health systems

Ryan Leone  1 , J Whitaker  2 , Z Homan  3 , L Bandekow  4 , M Bricknell  5
Affiliations
Editorial

Framework for the evaluation of military health systems

Ryan Leone et al. BMJ Mil Health. 2023 Jun.

Abstract

The organisation of a military health system (MHS) differs from the civilian system due to the role of the armed forces, the unique nature of the supported population and their occupational health requirements. A previously published review of the Military Medical Corps Worldwide Almanac demonstrated the value of a standardised framework for evaluation and comparison of MHSs. This paper proposes such a framework which highlights the unique features of MHSs not covered by health services research of national health systems. These include: national context and summary; organisational structure; firm base facilities, healthcare beneficiaries and medical research; operational capabilities, overseas deployments, collaborations and alliances; personnel including recruitment, training and education; and history and culture. This common framework can help facilitate international collaboration between military medical services including capability development, training exercises and mutual support during military operations. It can also inform national contributions to future editions of the Almanac.

Keywords: International health services; medical education & training; organisation of health services; public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: MB retired from the appointment of UK Surgeon General in April 2019. JW is a serving member of the UK Defence Medical Services. LB is the Editor-in-Chief of the Worldwide Military Medical Almanac.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Framework for military health systems.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Organisational choices for military health systems.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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    1. Bricknell M, Horne S. Personal view: Security sector health systems and global health. BMJ Mil Health 2023;169:e64–7. 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001607 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Switzerland World Health Organization . Everybody’s business: strengthening health systems to improve health outcomes: who’s framework for action. Geneva, 2007. Available: https://www.who.int/healthsystems/strategy/everybodys_business.pdf?ua=1 [Accessed October 2020].
    1. OECD health statistics, 2020. Available: http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/health-data.htm [Accessed October 2020].
    1. The Commonwealth Fund . International health policy center. Available: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-health-policy-center [Accessed October 2020].

Publication types

Supplementary concepts