That process, when applied to more than 250,000 incoming recruits every year, will require the use of cutting edge computer technology. That's being done at the Navy Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., where the concept of automated medical inprocessing of recruits was pioneered in the SHIP program. If successful, the questionnaire will provide accessible medical data to both DoD and VA doctors. In future years it will be the beginnings of what is called a longitudinal database, which allows a view of active duty military and veterans' health over time. Linking the RAP with other DoD and VA health records will create one of the world's largest longitudinal databases.
Longitudinal research allows doctors to see trends in health problems in a population.
Longitudinal surveillance has to have a baseline and this is where it all begins. So, it's part of the more comprehensive surveillance system in force health protection. The information collected will not only be used for research purposes, but also in preventative medicine and to improve clinical care. Over time, the database could greatly benefit future veterans as well. In order to determine eligibility for disability claims, the VA needs to know if a person's condition changed after they entered the military.