UNDERGRADUATE MILITARY MEDICINE – AN ESSENTIAL NEED OF THE PRESENT TIME

Abstract

Objective: To assess the need to induct Military Medicine as under graduate subject at military medical colleges of Pakistan.

Study Design: Mixed method study.

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute (AFPGMI) Rawalpindi, from Oct 2013 to Jul 2014.
Methodology: A data collection tool was pretested and structured questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 male military doctors (n=74) with service limit of <5 years. In Depth Interviews were also conducted from Nineteen Key Informants including faculty and military healthcare administrators.

Results: Only 30 (41%) participants correctly responded to 11-15 responses. Twenty (27%) respondents almost aware of management of patient in field. Twenty two (30%) and 27 (36%) had knowledge of capabilities of forward treatment center and advance dressing station respectively. Seventy (95%) respondents and almost all key informants had acknowledged that newly commissioned medical graduates do not have enough knowledge
base to amicably deal health related challenges of military environment. They also supported to include module of military medicine at undergraduate level, and conduct a military medicine cadre to train civil graduates prior to join active military service.

Conclusion: Competency in military medicine needs to be appreciated as the universal core competency of all doctors in military service. It may be recognized as an academic discipline at undergraduate level, and to develop Armed Forces Medical Services as an efficient and professional outfit.