A Review of Policy Development for Optimizing Health Management and Physical Therapy Resources in the Ministry of Defense | ||
| Journal of Medical and Life Science | ||
| Articles in Press, Corrected Proof, Available Online from 16 November 2025 | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jmals.2025.465900 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Meshari Farzal Ashwi Alshammari* 1; Nawaf Abdullah Rashed Alqinat2; Saad Musaad Z Alotaibi3; Ibrahim Ali Abdulaziz Alfadhel4; Mohammed Saleh Alshehri5; Khalid Ali Sayqal Qawfash6; Majed Ali Mohammed Al-qahtani7 | ||
| 1Health Administration, Medical Services - Ministry of Defence, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 2Specialist-Health Administration, Nakheel Medical Complex, Ministry of Defense, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 3Medical Records, Hospital Management, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 4Health Information Technician, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 5Alnakheel Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 6Medical Records, Saudi Arabia | ||
| 7Physical Therapy, Armed Forces Hospital, Southern Region, Saudi Arabia | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: The health burden among modern military personnel is predominantly from musculoskeletal injuries, psychological trauma, and training or combat sequelae. Effective management of these conditions is crucial for operational readiness and long-term well-being. However, global MoDs face systemic inefficiencies, resource constraints, and evolution in patient needs that hamper optimal healthcare delivery. Aim: The aim of this review is to summarize the existing literature to critically analyze and suggest evidence-based policy frameworks for optimizing health management and physical therapy resources within military healthcare systems, focusing on efficiency, patients' outcomes, and return on investment in human capital. Methods: A systematic narrative review, using major electronic databases, was conducted from 2000 through 2025 using keywords related to "military health services," "physical therapy," and "resource allocation." The identified studies were analyzed thematically to extract policy-relevant recommendations. Results: Key policy domains identified were: 1) implementing stratified care and early intervention models; 2) integrating telehealth and digital health; 3) innovating the workforce via expanded roles for physical therapists and athletic trainers; 4) employing data-driven resource allocation and predictive analytics; and 5) enhancing culturally competent veteran transition support. Evidence confirms these strategies reduce disability, improve recovery, and contain costs. Conclusion: Optimization of MoD health resources requires a multifaceted, integrated policy approach. Future strategies must be proactive, patient-centered, and leverage technology, data, and workforce innovation to safeguard both immediate operational readiness and long-term veteran health. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Military Health System; Physical Therapy Resource Allocation; Health Policy Development; Musculoskeletal Injuries; Operational Readiness; Veteran Transition | ||
|
Statistics Article View: 2 |
||
