New initiative in Periodic Health Assessment process to assist Airmen

Senior Airman Logan Noble demonstrates getting fitted with audio phones for an audiogram during a Periodic Health Assessment. The Aerospace and Operational Medicine flight manages the PHA program for all active duty, guard and reserve personnel at Wright-Patterson AFB and geographically separated units. (U.S. Air Force photo/Myra Saxon)

New initiative in Periodic Health Assessment process to assist Airmen

Staff Sgt. Shaniqua Anderson performs a depth perception test on a member on flying status during a Periodic Health Assessment. Col. Roger Hasselbrock relays back to Sgt. Anderson what he sees in the optic vision tester. The Base and Operational Medicine Clinic performs PHA’s on all military personnel on flying status. (U.S. Air Force photo/Myra Saxon)

New initiative in Periodic Health Assessment process to assist Airmen

Published Feb. 6, 2017
By Myra Saxon
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --

The Aerospace and Operational Medicine flight located in Area B, has implemented a new initiative in the Periodic Health Assessment process to better assist military members in their overall well-being.

The PHA is a screening tool used to evaluate individuals’ medical readiness, according to the Military Health System and Defense Health Agency.

After military members complete the annual PHAQ they will be required to accomplish the Mental Health Asssessment (estimated to start in March 2017). In the past, the member would only be contacted by a medical professional if the answers they provided in the survey indicated an issue that required further attention.

“This is a needed service,” said Master Sgt. Shanell Jackson, former flight chief for Aerospace and Operational Medicine. “Since I’ve been in the military, I’ve seen that more people are willing to open up [about their problems]. This gives members a chance to share if they have any occupational issues, relationship problems, or just need someone to talk to.”

The Aerospace and Operational Medicine flight falls under the 88th Aerospace Medicine Squadron that services civilians, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine students and military personnel on flying status at Wright-Patt, Security Forces and geographically separated units.

Aside from managing the PHA program, flight personnel perform medical records reviews and ensure Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements are adhered to regarding the civilian hiring process.

The flight is comprised of multiple clinics including the Occupational Medicine, Flight and Operational Medicine, Base and Operational Medicine and Audiology clinics.

Occupational Medicine upholds OSHA requirements for civilian and military employees.

“We are continuously evolving,” said Jackson. “Our BOMC is the model-home for the Air Force. We continue to collaborate with the 711th Human Performance Wing and USAFSAM to work on integrating new clinical workflows and anything that the Air Force Medical Service wants to happen with this program.”

Last October, the Tri-Service PHA was implemented. The initiative is a standard within the Air Force, Navy and Army to ensure all services are using the same process in regards to preventative health.