FORT LEE, Va. (July 14, 2016) -- A new beneficiary feedback and evaluation system called the Joint Outpatient Experience Survey, or JOES, is being rolled out by the DOD's Military Health network.

This single survey is for all military treatment facilities across the services. JOES standardizes information collection methods used by the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Health Agency/National Capital Region to learn about beneficiary health care experiences with the goal of making them better.

Beneficiaries receiving medical care at Fort Lee will begin receiving JOES in the mail beginning in August. It replaces the Army Provider Level Satisfaction Survey. Patients will continue to receive APLS surveys in the mail or by email until July 23. After that date, beneficiaries will receive JOES surveys through the same distribution methods.

The Defense Health Agency believes the new survey will have considerable impact on how the MHS delivers health care. Whichever health care system service members, retirees and their families go to, they will receive the same questionnaire and be able to relate their experience.

Richard Bannick, the branch chief of the Decision Support Division within DHA, said, "With the Army, Navy, Air Force and DHA each having different surveys, it was difficult to accurately measure the quality of service provided. With a standardized survey instrument, and a universal means of delivery (such as mail and email), we will have better comparisons across the services. And these new elements will give us information to improve the level of service we provide."

"We encourage all patients to complete and return the surveys," said Lt. Col. Brett H. Venable, Kenner Army Health Clinic commander. "Feedback is a gift, and patient surveys help us get better. In addition, Kenner receives bonus funding when our overall patient satisfaction exceeds 95 percent. We use this funding to invest in new equipment, staff and services."