Barksdale Profile: Faster, Easier Access to Healthcare for Military
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Updated: June 23, 2011
Airman 1st Class Daniel Mack has visited three different doctors for three different health concerns.
"Honestly, I think it would help if we saw the same doctor every time" he says.
Captain Mark Dudley, A family physician at the 2nd Medical Group Clinic agrees.
"You get to know the patient, you get to know what's going on with them, exactly. You're not starting fresh. When they come back in with the same issue, you can address it where you left off and try something new" says Capt. Dudley.
That's the goal of the Family Health Initiative at Barksdale Air Force Base.A patient is assigned one team, made up of a doctor, nurse and five medical technichians.
"You just develop a rapport with the patient. You know them, you know their attitude, their skeptic" says Capt. Dudley.
The program began in February and is getting positive results. Access to healthcare is up 20-percent according to Major Milton O. Johnson Junior, from 70-percent to 90-percent.
"Satisfaction rates are trending up, we're seeing people are happy with the provider that they see, their happy with the management of their healthcare" says the medical group, group practice manager.
Mack is looking forward to the change.
"I think it will make me feel more comfortable, just more open I guess you could says" says Mack.
Each military branch is adopting a similar health initiative, it maybe called something different.
"Honestly, I think it would help if we saw the same doctor every time" he says.
Captain Mark Dudley, A family physician at the 2nd Medical Group Clinic agrees.
"You get to know the patient, you get to know what's going on with them, exactly. You're not starting fresh. When they come back in with the same issue, you can address it where you left off and try something new" says Capt. Dudley.
That's the goal of the Family Health Initiative at Barksdale Air Force Base.A patient is assigned one team, made up of a doctor, nurse and five medical technichians.
"You just develop a rapport with the patient. You know them, you know their attitude, their skeptic" says Capt. Dudley.
The program began in February and is getting positive results. Access to healthcare is up 20-percent according to Major Milton O. Johnson Junior, from 70-percent to 90-percent.
"Satisfaction rates are trending up, we're seeing people are happy with the provider that they see, their happy with the management of their healthcare" says the medical group, group practice manager.
Mack is looking forward to the change.
"I think it will make me feel more comfortable, just more open I guess you could says" says Mack.
Each military branch is adopting a similar health initiative, it maybe called something different.
