Decide + Be Ready vs Pocket Flight Surgeon

Decide + Be Ready - an interactive way to learn about birth control options and think through what’s important to you about your method. You’ve got to love options, especially when it comes to birth control, but figuring out the best method for you can be overwhelming. In 15 minutes or less, you’ll have the information you need to discuss options with your health care provider in order to make the best decision for you! FEATURES include: 1) Brief educational modules reviewing all the birth control methods out there, including: How well does it prevent pregnancy? How do I use it? How often do I have to remember it? Are there any side effects? What if I decide to get pregnant? Considerations for a servicewoman 2) “Info quickies” that provide information about such topics as emergency contraception, IUDs, postpartum and breastfeeding considerations, and fertility awareness methods. 3) An interactive section that allows you to indicate your preferences for the method characteristics described above. 4) A short checklist assessing your medical eligibility for different contraceptive methods. 5) Recommendations on methods that may be a good fit for you based on your responses to items 3 and 4 above. You can then select the methods that you wish to discuss at more length with your provider. You can also use the “Compare Methods” function to view all the characteristics of two methods side-by-side. 6) A notepad to write down questions you have for your provider. 7) Your Birth Control Profile that summarizes and allows you to share your method preferences, questions you wish to ask your provider, and methods you are most interested in. You can save your profile, email it to yourself or share with your provider. DESCRIPTION Decide + Be Ready will cover important basics about all the methods out there and ask you questions about what you want from birth control (like how you want to use it, how often you want to think about it, and what side effects are going to bother you or make your life better), so you can find the ones that work for you. The app will also allow you to compare methods side by side, and capture questions you have for your provider. Even if you already have a method in mind, it is good to know your options. Decide + Be Ready can be used by anyone. However, it was specifically developed to meet the unique needs of women in the military. These servicewomen, when deployed or working in uniquely challenging environments, have additional things to think when choosing a birth control method, like access to methods, or the advantages of being able to manage or even skip their menstrual periods with certain methods. Physical and emotional readiness is critical for the military mission and this app will help servicewomen “be ready” in more ways than one! Decide + Be Ready is straightforward to use and will guide you through a flow of information and questions that result in tailored recommendations based on your preferences. Decide + Be Ready was developed jointly by faculty at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), the Person-Centered Reproductive Health Program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and Nitid Bit, LLC. It is sponsored and maintained by the Defense Health Agency (DHA). The contents, views or opinions expressed in this application are those of the developers and do not necessarily reflect official policy or position of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of Defense (DoD), or Departments of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Pocket Flight Surgeon is a mobile reference companion for U.S. Army aeromedical policy. It organizes publicly available Aeromedical Policy Letter (APL) content into a searchable, offline-ready format designed for trained aeromedical professionals who already work with these materials daily. This app does not diagnose, treat, prescribe, or provide personalized medical advice. It is a structured reference aid - similar to a pocket textbook - intended to help trained professionals quickly locate policy language they are already qualified to interpret. WHAT YOU CAN DO Browse aeromedical conditions organized by medical specialty, including cardiovascular, neurology, pulmonary, psychiatry, orthopedic, ophthalmology, dermatology, endocrinology, and more. Each entry summarizes the APL-derived disposition framework so you can quickly orient to the relevant policy section during review. Search medication reference categories relevant to aeromedical duty-status considerations. Entries reflect general policy groupings and do not constitute prescribing guidance. Calculate flight physical due dates using the birth-month cycle, last exam date, and flight class. The calculator determines whether the next recurring requirement is a Comprehensive FDME or FDHS, tracks the 90-day scheduling window, and supports calendar reminders. Bookmark the conditions you reference most often for one-tap access during busy clinic days. Access the bundled APL source document and links to official Army aeromedical guidance resources directly within the app. DESIGNED FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD • Fully offline - works without Wi-Fi or cellular data, including deployed and austere environments • All data stays on your device - nothing is collected, uploaded, or shared • No account required - open the app and start referencing immediately • Interactive calculators and bookmarking go beyond static document viewing • Supports all iPhone screen sizes and Dynamic Type accessibility settings WHO THIS APP IS FOR This app is built for trained U.S. Army aeromedical professionals and aviation personnel who already use APL guidance in their duties, including Flight Surgeons, Aeromedical Physician Associates, Aeromedical Nurse Practitioners, Army Aviators, Non-Rated Crewmembers, Air Traffic Controllers, and UAS Operators. ABOUT THE SOURCE MATERIAL All condition and policy reference content is derived from the U.S. Army Aeromedical Policy Letters, which are publicly available U.S. government documents not subject to domestic copyright under 17 U.S.C. § 105. The bundled APL revision is dated December 2021. Aeromedical policy is periodically updated by the U.S. Army - always verify findings against the current official APL, local command policy, and waiver authority direction before making any duty-status or medical determination. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER Pocket Flight Surgeon is a reference aid only. It does not provide medical diagnoses, treatment recommendations, official aviation-duty determinations, or emergency guidance. Clinical disposition depends on individual patient context, symptoms, treatment effects, stability, and the judgment of a licensed clinician and appropriate waiver authority. For urgent symptoms or medical emergencies, seek immediate medical care through appropriate channels. This app is independently developed. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or any U.S. government agency.