As I write this note, a Four Corners program on post-traumatic stress disorder in the ADF has gone to air.
Although not wanting to comment on the detail or veracity of reports as presented, broadcasting of this program does again highlight the importance of mental health to both the active military organisation and its members, and perhaps more importantly its long-term impact on ADF members and veterans. The challenge to the military health community in providing adequate immediate support following psychological trauma clearly remains high, but equally, if not more challenging, is the ability to translate this into long-term care and support where necessary.
The traumas, both physical and psychological, of combat cannot be avoided. We are again reminded of the impact of this during the Anzac Day ceremonies this month. It is beholden upon the Defence and Veterans’ health professional communities to ensure that those who have or will face these situations are able to move through them with a minimum of short-term pain and emerge with their psychological health intact, and where this does not occur, that they are appropriately supported.
AMMA Survey
To assist Council in developing a strategic plan for the Association, a survey seeking information on members’ perceptions of the value of the Association will shortly be distributed. The survey seeks input on the things AMMA does well, the things that it can improve, and things that might be added to the Association’s repertoire to add value to its members. This survey will also be distributed more broadly to the health professional community both as a way to increase the Association’s visibility as well as seeking some input on those aspects that are important in attracting members to our professional organisation.
Council intends to use the information derived from the survey to develop a strategic plan that will be presented to the next AGM in October.
Research Workshop
The Association, through Greg Mahoney at CMVH and Helen Kelsall at Monash University, is in the process of developing a one-day workshop covering topics that are relevant to military and veterans’ health personnel when contemplating or undertaking research, or preparing papers for publication or presentation.
The military and veterans’ health care environments offer unique opportunities for research, given that in many cases there is the ability to track individuals and their health over a long period of time, both through their records and personal contact and follow-up. Unfortunately, many of these opportunities are not taken up because individual health workers do not have the necessary understanding of research techniques and requirements to undertake these activities. This workshop aims to provide members these skills so that opportunities can be seized for the benefit of all.
The first of these workshops, being conducted as a pilot, will be held in Brisbane in August this year. Keep an eye out for further details in relation to the dates, venue and program for this exciting new development.
Conference 2009
I am delighted to confirm that AMMA has gone into partnership with Controversies in Civilian and Military Trauma (CCMT) to conduct a joint conference this year.
The conference will be held over a three-day period from 30 October to 1 November. On the day preceding the conference, CCMT will be holding a workshop on the challenges of evacuation and transport of casualties, with a focus on the military environment. The CCMT stream of the conference will be held on the first two days of the main period, with the AMMA conference continuing for an additional day on the Sunday.
The venue for the conference is the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and I am sure that, as always, there will be a wealth of highquality presentations and great opportunities to share experience and knowledge among delegates.
Please mark these dates in your diary now, and start thinking about putting pen to paper to make a contribution to the proceedings.
Conference 2010
I am equally delighted to be able to report that the Surgeon General Australian Defence Force, Major- General Paul Alexander, has agreed to enter into a partnership with AMMA to hold a joint conference in Canberra in 2010.
While final details of this conference remain in development, it is expected that it will be held at the Canberra Convention Centre at the end of October 2010.
Journal Matters
The development JMVH continues apace. We are slowly attracting an increasing number of papers of high quality, our processes for publication and peer review run smoothly and quickly and the end product has impact.
We recently held the first meeting by teleconference of the Journal’s International Advisory Committee (IAC). The IAC currently has 13 members with representation spread around the world (members are listed on the title page of this edition). The first meeting provided the Editorial Board with a wealth of ideas and information, and these will be used by the Board to further progress the development of the Journal. IAC members showed great interest and commitment in assisting the Association to achieve its strategic aim of making the Journal an internationally recognised publication covering the breadth of military medicine and veterans’ health.
I would like to thank the IAC for their support, and I look forward to further interactions with and advice from them in the future.
Also on the Journal front, I am pleased to be able to advise that the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Honourable Alan Griffin MP, has provided a contribution of $5000 to support the continuing publication of JMVH. On your behalf, I would like to publicly thank the Minister for his support. The Association continues to go out to various groups seeking ongoing sponsorship so as to ensure that the Journal is able to continue its developmentand publication in these early formative stages.
Lydia Stevens
It is with sadness that we report the recent passing of Lydia Stevens, who was a member of the AMMA Council during the Association’s formative years. Lydia was well-known and liked throughout the AD health services, and her contribution both to military medicine and the Association was outstanding.
The eulogy for Lydia that was presented at her funeral service by her husband is published in this issue.
I am sure that you will join with me in passing on our condolences to David Stevens and Lydia’s family on their recent loss.
Finally, may I again remind you of the upcoming joint conference with CCMT, and I look forward to seeing you at the Gold Coast at the end of October.
