of care involves many tactical-level and strategic-level interactions among elements, processes, activities, and organizations. In addition, there are significant co-morbidities between TBI and mental health conditions, as well as between TBI and physical injuries, diseases, and conditions. Therefore, these analyses should also consider endogenous interactions and relevant co-morbidities from a “systems/enterprise” perspective.

Output. A “TBI system” model or “enterprise level” health care delivery model that can address a broad spectrum of TBI capacity, organizational, and resource-allocation issues. If properly structured, the model(s) could be used to design prospectively a TBI system of care.

Issue E.2. Outline the structure of a (mathematical programming?) model/robust methodology to assist in planning for the allocation of scarce TBI care providers to meet the demand for care in theater and in the continental United States (CONUS) for all severity levels of TBI. (As an alternative, consider assigning TBI patients to specific care providers.)

Purpose. There is a shortage of care providers with expertise in TBI care. In addition, specialty providers may now have responsibilities for the treatment of other diseases and/or may not be geographically distributed to provide efficient care to the existing and projected population of TBI patients. Although it may be less than optimal from a systems perspective, the military needs a method to assist in determining the best use of these scarce resources in the near term.

Output. A methodology for allocating scarce TBI-capable care providers to meet the demand for care for in-theater and in-CONUS populations of TBI patients. The methodology will also help identify high-priority requirements for additional TBI care providers.