Military pt not allowed to refuse tx???

Heloisea3 · Apr 17, 2007

When I was in the military, we were not allowed to refuse any type of treatment, including vaccinations (even flu shots), dental treatments (removal of wisdom teeth), medical treatments or tests, etc. If you were given medical orders or a medical profile by a doctor, you had to follow it or you would be subject to disciplinary action. You are considered "government property."

I once got a really (REALLY!!!) bad sunburn during a field exercise. Even though I had put on sunscreen that morning, it had worn off. I wanted to go to the clinic to get something for it because we were literally low-crawling on our bellies and backs during the training exercises, and it was extremely painful. I was told that if I went to the clinic, I would get an Article 15 for destruction of government property (the property being me).

That is how the military looks at things. Military personnel are no different than any other piece of government property. Yes, you can get good care at times, but you can also get very questionable care, and there is nothing you can do about it.

allnurses Guide · Apr 17, 2007

I'm hoping someone can answer a question for me. I'm a relatively new GS employee (just over 6 months), but have been around the military all my life (born a brat then married into it ). I've heard several co-workers (military and civilian) state that military pts are not allowed to refuse any kind of tx (be it IVs, medications, etc). Is this true? And if it is, what happened to their rights?

Each branch looks at it different, but in general if you refuse medical treatment and if in any way it can effect your military duties then you can be held accountable under the UCMJ.

I am in the AF, and I refused a medical tx just a couple of weeks ago. I had a dentist that wanted to send me to family practice for routine bp checks, because my bp was slightly elevated....well long story short I already have a diagnosis of HTN and have been evaluated/ tx'd for it already. I am just not currently taking meds, because I had an uncommon side-effect. Well the dentist didn't care...He actually treated me like a idiot....I am just a nurse what would I know..:angryfire

Each case is different and certain things can not be refused, but there is a lot of grey area. It can be very complicated, but if it wasn't complicated then it wouldn't be the military.

Cherish · Apr 19, 2007

G.I= Government Issued...yup our parents are now the Federal Government...Who's Ya Daddy?

Just Joking...

Hoping LVN2BSN · Apr 19, 2007

When I was in the Navy, I was almost sent to mast for NOT going to the dentist. I had gone a couple times and they were just so horrible at what they did, in order to be anesthetized, I had to be shot 7 or 8 times! Then the dentist asks do you have any tattoo's? Yeah, but do you see any in my mouth?!!!? Anyway, I asked if I could have some Valium or something and he said no that's reserved for high ranking officers, this is how it would be in combat, get used to it. I went afterwards and told my Master Chief and he did nothing about it, so after a lot of missed appoinments, I was sent to XOI and I explained to the XO the kind of care I was receiving and my requests and what I was told by the dentist. From that day on, my Valium were waiting for me at the pharmacy before all my appointments!

BTW, I was an MP and all military personnel who were involved in an accident no matter how small (car vs. orange cone) that the MP's were called for had to go to medical. Ohh the joys of the Navy!