Enhancing Military-Civilian Medical Synergies: The Role of Army Medical Practice in Civilian Facilities.

Army medical professionals must maintain the high level of proficiency required to fulfill the Army's medical missions of supporting military operations and providing beneficiary care. Because beneficiary care demands in a U.S. medical treatment facility (MTF) do not mirror those in a combat setting and sometimes can exceed the MTF's capacity, some MTFs enter into agreements with local civilian facilities to meet shortfalls in beneficiary care or training. The study's objective was to assess Army medical practice in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and non--Veterans Affairs civilian facilities and suggest opportunities for improving military--civilian synergies.