The Feasibility of Providing Periodic Health Assessments to All Primary Reservists

June 2015

For the last quarter of a century, Reservists have participated in expeditionary operations in the Balkans, the Middle East and Africa, and humanitarian crises such as in Haiti and the Philippines, largely as augmentees to the Regular Force.  Although it is almost impossible to predict the future needs of the Armed Forces, contemporary global conflicts indicate that Reservists will continue to be integrated into future expeditionary missions.

Progress report

October 2022

Since the publication of this report in 2015, the Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) issued Interim guidance containing a mechanism for prioritization of PHAs for Reservists. D Med Pol Communiqué 2015-008 | Additional Guidance for Class A Reservists’ Periodic Health Assessments | Health Services | MPC (with DWAN link) is in effect. 

As of July 2022, the level of engagement in the pandemic response required a comprehensive review of the PHA model. 

The CFHS is evaluating the most appropriate mechanism to achieve the three purposes of the current periodic health assessment (PHA) model: 

1. Assess medical support requirements and medical fitness for employment and translate these into operational readiness metrics; 
2. Identify and plan the delivery of care; and 
3. Deliver care.  

Changes are not expected before 2024, as this review is ongoing.