Jessica L Sousa

When the demand for behavioral health care outstrips supply at military treatment facilities (MTFs), service members are referred to private-sector providers. While readiness assessments are routinely included in clinical encounters at MTFs, it has been unclear how readiness assessments and command communication are being conducted for service members receiving private-sector care.

The authors compare the Department of Defense's health readiness assessments against their stated objectives and identify potential opportunities for improvement and increased efficiencies.

Delivery of high-quality behavioral health (BH) care is essential to the readiness of the U. S. armed forces and their families. Virtual behavioral health (VBH) care expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and could support BH care delivery in the future. The authors examined trends in the use of VBH care for U. S. Army soldiers and their spouses from prior to the pandemic through March 2022 and surveyed soldiers about their perceptions of VBH care.

Acute and chronic pain are common among service members, with musculoskeletal pain and injuries being the leading cause of nondeployability among active-duty service members. Interviews with Military Health System (MHS) administrators, providers, and service member patients provide on-the-ground perspectives on MHS pain care policies, highlighting strengths and potential areas for improvement and innovation in pain care across the MHS.

This report examines changes in behavioral health care delivered to service members by the Military Health System following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including patterns of care, use of telehealth, and quality of care. The findings and recommendations are intended to inform improvements to behavioral health care in the Military Health System and provide insights into the implications of its ongoing integration of telehealth.