Army medical staff struggling to improve access

[unhappycamper]

2nd Lt. Emily Hanson treats a patient at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. After hearing many patient complaints, the Army is trying to come up with inititiatives to irmprove patietns' access to care. (sic)


Army medical staff struggling to improve access
By Nancy Montgomery, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, March 1, 2009

HEIDELBERG, Germany — Sorry you’re sick but no, no appointments today. Next week? Not gonna happen.

Or, you don’t even get that far. You call Central Appointments, but you’re put on hold for a long time, and after trying some deep breathing and muttered curse words, you hang up.

Army medical officials feel your pain, or at least are aware of it.

"Patients are not happy with us," said Brig. Gen. Keith Gallagher, commander of the Europe Regional Medical Command.

The Army is trying to provide better access to medical care, but officials recognize it has a ways to go.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61050