Increasing Inpatient Mental Health Services at an Overseas USAF Medical Group; Expanding Capability and Reducing Cost Through Joint Military Venture

• Main Author: Riley, Raymond Lewis
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: ProQuest Dissertations & Theses 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Business administration; Mental health; Military studies; Public health
• ISBN: 9798790626364

This study examined the void of inpatient mental health services at the Medical Group based on the situation at time of the study. Located in Japan, the Medical Group had a 15-patient bed medical facility comprised of over 400 employees. The study was facilitated utilizing a case study methodology. The main goal of the study was to apply academic rigor to the research questions and provide the results to the Medical Group leadership. The study aimed to answer two research questions; how would the creation of a Medical Group joint service inpatient mental health capability influence services provided to its enrolled patient population and how would the creation of a Medical Group joint service inpatient mental health capability influence its operating finances? The researcher utilized the healthcare integrator business model and the healthcare experience leader model for the study. The researcher selected nine people for questionnaires, four for interviews and four for a focus group. Analysis was completed through Dedoose with Braun and Clarke’s six-step method in thematic analysis. The research questions produced seven themes with over two hundred codes. Research question one themes included training, risk, staffing, availability matters and care barriers. Research question two included cost concerns with the current service model and aeromedical evacuation costs. Research question one showed with an inpatient mental health unit several patient and staff risk factors along with staffing shortages would be addressed. Research question two showed operating finances would be influenced by the continual rise in operating expenses under the then current service model. Costs associated with a new inpatient unit would rise but eventually be paid for and sustained by a significant aeromedical evacuation reduction. Implications relayed safety, risk and staffing related issues could be minimized with these inpatient services. The study found that expanding their current service model to include inpatient mental health would also remedy certain mental health availability issues. Additional recommendations included redesignating the Medical Group as the regional lead for military inpatient mental health services. Future research included military contractor ventures and training modifications for certain medical personnel prior to assignment to Japan.