This Edition of the Journal of Military and Veterans Health has an array of papers considering operational and strategic issues confronting military health services in this region.
Infectious disease has always been a significant cause of non-battle casualties throughout the history of warfare and the more recent history of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Being able to deploy a microbiology laboratory to assist in the diagnostic and management process of tropical disease is a dream for many who have faced the challenges of decision making in an information poor environment. More recently the capability has assumed greater need with emerging risks of biological threat assessment and management. While principles of health support and logistic management apply, the kit is diverse and sensitive requiring specific knowledge and solutions to ensure capability in the field. Inglis et al apply logistic expertise in the establishment of the capability for deployment of field medical microbiology in Sri Lanka.
The unfortunate association of the development of reconstructive surgery during times of war has produced a silver lining of improved management of disfiguring injuries and deformities among civilian communities in addition to improvements in veteran outcomes. Daryl Tong and colleagues provide a valuable and readable background on the development of a specialty that is becoming core to military medicine and dentistry. It is difficult not to be impressed by the recollections of the pioneers of maxillo-facial surgery. It is equally difficult to believe that the authors have no conflict of interest in the unabashed New Zealand connections.
So what is RAAAKERSTM? It is a model of organisational analysis that has been used to inform a seachange in the structure of Defence Health Services. RAAAKERSTM was developed by Durant-Law, and his paper with Burnett from DSTO outlines the findings used to inform the recommendations for change in the Defence Health Services Directorate that were contained in the Alexander Review. The acceptance of these recommendations has led to the recent creation of the Joint Health Command.
Submarine escape and rescue is a highly specialised area of Defence capability with specific medical implications. JMVH has been fortunate to have received approval from The Seapower Centre (Australia) to republish a brief history of this field that appeared for readers of Semaphore.
Professor Peter Leggat has provided a review of the popular handbook by John Murtagh of General Practice. There are few texts in this field. Professor Leggat has conducted his characteristic detailed review to inform those considering purchase. Professor Leggat has also reviewed another new edition of what has been a required desk text for military health practitioners, the 2008 CDC Health Information for International Travel.
The history of the first HMAS Perth in the Battle of the Sunda Straits is a great Naval story. Fred Skeels was there in 1942 returning for the remembrance in 1992 on the second HMAS Perth. He is a great character and author of Java Rabble, recalling this battle and the journey of the survivors. Java Rabble is reviewed by Dr. Andrew Robertson.
The Journal is very appreciative of Neil Westphalen for providing an Obituary for Bruce Cheffins and. Mike Dowsett for recalling Sandy Ferguson. These recollections are of the typically colourful and adventurous life in military health, no doubt resonating with many of the readers of JMVH while celebrating the lives and service to Australia of these two great contributors to naval medicine in peace and war.
Finally, JMVH’s Instructions to Authors are included. These appear daunting, however, the Journal is committed to assisting new authors to publish and the Editorial team is available to provide guidance and support if required. Contact can be made through editorial@jmvh.org.
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