Location

Coast Guard Reserve Training Center, Yorktown, VA.

General Information¹

Recent health care reform efforts in the United States and abroad demonstrate the importance of health in national strategic planning and resource management. Economic impact and complexity of health programs today create challenges for policy makers. The central focus of the International Health Resources Management (IHRM) Program is to develop strategies for improving health resource management that will contribute to a country's national security interests. This is accomplished by promoting a self sustaining process of collaboration among health resources management decision-makers involved in improving the health of their military and civilian populations through the appropriate application of knowledge and allocation of resources.

Increasingly shifting linkages between health systems and national objectives require coordination and study, particularly in light of evolving civil-military relations. A typical program will focus on building collaborative partnerships in one or more of the following areas: military policy on quality of life; military medical administration; military and civilian cross-sector health care topics; and military involvement in public health strategic action plans. The program is flexible to permit the discussion of issues of interest that best meet the needs of the country.

This program is divided into five phases (three primary and two optional).

Scope¹

See General Information section on page I-7. During Phase III 30-35 senior military and civilian government and private sector leaders in the host country are guided through a five day process to develop a practical strategic action plan addressing the identified topic.

At the completion of Phase III, the participants will have:

• Identified the constraints and assets relative to health system improvements;
• Discussed their country's health care needs and market dynamics;
• Specified the resource management techniques appropriate for their country;
• Developed a strategic plan for health care infrastructure improvements;
• Determined responsibilities for further collaboration; and
• Committed to a timeline for financing and pursuing the proposed system changes.

Programming and implementation of Phase III¹

Programming Phase III is very similar to Phases I and II. Phase III is the actual course taught for the first time in the host country.

IHRM will send two-four instructors to host country. The following addresses logistics and administrative considerations:

General Course Details -

1. Class size:Optimal size is 20-30.
2. Schedule: 0815-1615 (five to seven 45-minute sessions daily, plus lunch)
3. Structure: presented in lecture and small group discussion format. Additionally, a computer-assisted simulation may be introduced using computers provided by the faculty. No computer background for participants is necessary. Small groups will consist of approximately eight individuals plus one faculty member. Groups should be divided prior to the class and should contain a representative mix of military and civilian participants. Participants with good English language skills should be spread across discussion groups to assist in translation.

Costing and funding of Phase III¹

A cost estimate is provided to the SAO upon programming of the MET for planning purposes only (normally $44,000).

IHRM Expenses

1. Normally, there are four instructors on site for the one week course. The initial cost estimate will include round-trip airfare for four instructors, per diem as authorized by the U.S. JTR, and transportation required while in country.
2. Normally, instructors are civilians. Salaries will be included for the one week period and for two days preparatory time. In FY97, this is approximately $300 per day, per instructor.
3. The IHRM staff, which handles the administrative tasks for each course, requires seven days of preparatory time. This is estimated at approximately $215 per day.
4. Course materials provided are approximately $25.00 per student.
5. Shipping costs for course materials depend on the number of students. A good rule of thumb would be approximately $25 per student.
6. Translation fees. IHRM has accumulated a small library of already translated articles and books. If, however, they need to translate for the requesting country, this fee will be assessed.

Expenses incurred by SAO:

1. Translation/ interpreting Fees
2. Equipment/ technical support
3. Conference facilities
4. Printing/ photocopying
5. Transportation (if applicable)

Source:

¹ United States, Defense Security Assistance Agency, Expanded IMET Handbook, (Washington: February 14, 1997) I-7, II-4, IV-A-37, IV-A-39, IV-A-40.