New process allows speedy medical appointments 'on track' Published April 2, 2012 By Senior Airman Natasha Stannard 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Spangdahlem AB made a process change for making medical appointments during the Air Force fitness assessment in February as an effort to provide quick and responsive care to Airmen. This change allows Airmen who suffer an illness or injury during assessment test to stop immediately and request a medical evaluation to invalidate the FA. "If a member stops in the middle of the test due to illness or injury, the [fitness assessment cell] will hold the test for five days before entering the score into the Air Force Fitness Management System," said Maj. Jared Dahle, 52nd Medical Group executive officer. "This [process] is to allow the member time to see a medical provider and diagnose the cause of their illness or injury." Upon medical review and if the unit commander approves the invalidation of the test, the tester must retake all components of the test that a medical provider clears within the five days or when capable based on the recommendations of the medical provider. The medical provider will fill out an Air Force Form 469, Duty Limiting Conditioning Report, for the tester to present to the unit commander if the provider recommends the member is not able to take the test in five days. The process Airmen will go through to make an appointment is to notify the test administrator at the FAC who will then give them a card to call the 52nd Medical Group from the FAC to make a same-day or an early next-day appointment. This speedy appointment process will help ensure Airmen see a doctor so they can be treated in time to retest, he said. "If a member chooses not to see a medical provider or procrastinates and doesn't see the provider within the designated time limit, their test will be entered, and they will receive an 'Unsatisfactory' score," Dahle said. The overall objective of this process is to get Airmen the care they need in a timely manner. "It makes it easier, so if something does happen, Airmen can reach the resources they need and get the diagnosis they need before it negatively impacts their career," he said. For additional fitness program information, visit http://www.afpc.af.mil/affitnessprogram/affitnessfaq.asp, or call the FAC at DSN 452-2152 or 06565-61-2152.