Specification as a Quality Assurance Mechanism for Military Personnel Psychological Recovery Services in Public Administration

Abstract

The article provides a scientific substantiation of the structure, content, and key design decisions of the Specification for military personnel psychological recovery services, developed by the authors as part of the preparation of a pilot experiment for procuring such services using state budget funds with the participation of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The empirical basis comprises two regulatory documents: the draft Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ‘On the Implementation of the Experimental Project for Improving the System of Psychological Recovery of Military Personnel’ together with its Implementation Procedure, and the draft Specification for psychological recovery services. The methodological framework integrates Avedis Donabedian’s “structure – process – outcome” model, principal-agent theory, and Ian Graham’s knowledge translation concept. The study analyses the position of the Specification within the regulatory vertical of the pilot experiment (Resolution → Procedure → Specification → Individual Plan) and substantiates its triple function: a quality standard, an instrument for overcoming information asymmetry between the commissioning body and the service provider, and a “translator” of evidence-based clinical recommendations into procurement requirements. A comparative analysis with international analogues was conducted, including the VA/DoD Performance Work Statement (USA), NATO AMedP-8.6, NHS England service specifications, the Canadian OSI Clinics model, and the Israeli Ministry of Defence Quality Assurance Policy. Three original design solutions with no direct international analogues were identified: the “open list with an evidence-based threshold’ construct for psychotherapeutic methods, the inclusion of external supervision with a dual clinical and managerial function, and detailed infrastructure requirements accounting for active wartime conditions, including shelter provisions under Ukrainian building codes. Three key “translation points” from evidence-based standards to procurement requirements were substantiated: the formation of the methods list, the design of the assessment system, and the specification of multidisciplinary team composition and competencies.