Name
#124 Beyond Command: Exploring the Dynamics of the Military Medical Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Relationship in Military Medicine
Speakers
Content Presented on Behalf of
Uniformed Services University
Services/Agencies represented
US Navy, Uniformed Services University (USU)
Session Type
Posters
Room#/Location
Prince Georges Exhibit Hall A/B
Focus Areas/Topics
Policy/Management/Administrative, Trending/Hot Topics or Other not listed
Learning Outcomes
Following this session, the attendee will be able to...
1. Describe in context the three key themes of open communication, trust in training, and mutual mentorship and their impact on Military Medical Officer-Non-Commissioned Officer dynamics.
2. Recognize the value of fostering effective communication, building trust, and supporting mentorship in military healthcare settings.
3. Assess the implications of these findings for developing training programs aimed at improving collaboration and leadership skills among new MMOs.
4. Integrate new practices into existing training programs that prepare new MMOs to build successful working relationships with NCOs.
1. Describe in context the three key themes of open communication, trust in training, and mutual mentorship and their impact on Military Medical Officer-Non-Commissioned Officer dynamics.
2. Recognize the value of fostering effective communication, building trust, and supporting mentorship in military healthcare settings.
3. Assess the implications of these findings for developing training programs aimed at improving collaboration and leadership skills among new MMOs.
4. Integrate new practices into existing training programs that prepare new MMOs to build successful working relationships with NCOs.
Session Currently Live
Description
Background: Military medical officers (MMOs) and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) serve critical roles within military healthcare teams, and a successful working relationship between them is essential for mission success. Despite extensive research on civilian and military interprofessional healthcare teams, there is a notable gap outlining the specific dynamics between MMOs and NCOs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore our participants’ perceptions of their interactions with MMOs, and their insights as to how MMOs can foster positive working relationships with NCOs.
Methods: Utilizing a qualitative existential-phenomenological design, the research team interviewed 7 medical NCOs twice through a focus group and individual interviews. Each interaction was transcribed and coded. Phenomenological analysis methods were applied to identify emergent themes.
Results: Three interdependent themes were identified: (1) open communication, (2) trust in training, and (3) mutual mentorship. The MMO should establish and maintain open lines of communication to ensure clarity and opportunities for feedback. The MMO should ensure a clear understanding of NCO roles and abilities, and work to build trust through demonstration of respect for the skills and contributions of NCOs. The MMO should facilitate reciprocal learning and professional development between MMOs and NCOs.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that open communication, trust in training, and mutual mentorship should be emphasized in military medical training and education to improve team cohesion, readiness, and effectiveness. Potential methods to integrate training into existing medical school curriculum include structured interprofessional mentorship training and incorporating assessment tools like the Group Cohesion Scale into high-fidelity simulations with opportunities for structured feedback.