A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Analysis of Air Force Flight and Operational Medicine Clinic Health Care Services

摘要

Objectives: This study described the patient population and the health care services delivered in the Air Force Flight and Operational Medicine Clinics (FOMCs) over the past 10 years. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on the retrospective cohort of patients who received care at a FOMC from 2003 to 2012. Results: A total of 714,157 individuals, generating 4,829,626 encounters, were included in the cohort. They were predominately male service members under the age of 41. One-fifth of individuals were retirees and family members, with one-third being in the pediatric age range. The cohort accessed health care services for three primary reasons: health examinations (28%), occupational dispositions (18%), and primary care (54%). When primary care was sought, the predominate health conditions were upper respiratory infections, back problems, and nontraumatic joint disorders. When services and procedures were a component of the care, they were predominately associated with health examinations involving ophthalmologic, auditory, and cardiac screening tests. Individuals accessing the FOMCs had relatively low need for access to health care services, requiring a median of two annual encounters. Conclusions: This study provided insight into the health care delivered in FOMCs and establishes a foundation for future planning and management of FOMC health care delivery.