Periodic Review of the Individual Health Record as a Substitute for the Routine Periodic Physical Examination as Required by Army Regulation 40-501, Standards of Medical Fitness

摘要

This study was conducted to determine if the periodic physical examination administered under the provisions of AR 40-501 could be replaced by a review of appropriate medical records, with no significant loss of information. The author found that only a small portion of physical examinations uncovered latent or unrecognized disease, and that the process was not cost effective. He recommends that the periodic physical examination be eliminated in its present form, and that blood pressure measurement be included as part of the semi-annual weigh-in. Keywords: Health care, Routine examinations, Cost containment, Medical services, Military medicine, Medical examination. (sdw)