Alcohol Misuse Among Military Veterans with Subjective Cognitive Decline
Introduction Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), which is a self-reported condition of worsening memory loss or confusion within 12 months, has been described as an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.1 Individuals with SCD may perceive a decline in their cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention or problem-solving skills. Unlike objective measures of cognitive decline, which are… Read more »
Measuring Dental Fear and Anxiety in New Zealand Defence Force Personnel
Introduction Dental anxiety and fear are problems that are not fully understood due to their complex nature and aetiology. High dental anxiety and fear are associated with adverse psychosocial consequences such as lower self-esteem and morale.1 It has been almost universally observed that dental anxiety and fear are more common among women than men.2-5 Dental… Read more »
Hearing Health in the Australian Defence Force
Loud, hazardous noise exposure is ubiquitous and unavoidable in the Defence Force. As a result, it has the unfortunate but foreseeable effect of inducing early-onset hearing loss and/or tinnitus among service members. In Australia, Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veterans can receive fully subsidised hearing care under the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program (HSP). While… Read more »
Incidences and Trends of Cardiovascular Determinants and Diagnoses in Active Duty Service Members
Abstract Obesity, alcohol use and hypertension place military service members at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current study utilised the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database (DMED) data to conduct a retrospective cohort study on the incidence rate trends of CVD and six risk factors (per 10 000) in active duty service members from… Read more »
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Adherence and Response to Cognitive Processing Therapy for Veterans Living with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating disorder that affects up to 30% of United States veterans in their lifetime.1-4 Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a recommended first-line treatment for veterans with PTSD,5 utilising evidence-based psychotherapy techniques to reduce negative thoughts about oneself and the world, and challenge unhelpful beliefs.6 CPT is widely utilised… Read more »
Caring for Post-9/11 Veterans in the Civilian Sector: Knowledge and Readiness of Registered and Advance Practice Nurse Providers
Introduction Background The United States has deployed over three million uniformed service members to areas in the Middle East and Southwest Asia in support of the Global War on Terror since the turn of the 21st century.1 While research is limited and preliminary, the data suggests that veterans who have deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan… Read more »
Comparison of a Novel Tool-less External Fixator Clamp with an Established System Regarding Handling and Stability
Introduction With a growing frequency of extreme weather events, associated natural disasters1 and military conflicts, there is an increasing incidence of fractures requiring emergency treatment in the context of ‘damage control’ using simple methods such as an external fixator. As Martinez-Rondanelli et al. point out in their 2021 manuscript on damage control in orthopaedics and… Read more »
Melanoma in Aircrew and Defence Members: A Narrative Literature Review
Introduction Melanoma is a malignant skin tumour with the potential to metastasise1 and lead to premature death. While classical risk factors, such as a tendency to sunburn and a phenotype of pale skin, hair and eye colour, are well described, the literature also reports several groups with a higher incidence of melanoma. These include aircrew… Read more »
Editorial
Editorial – Somalia – 30 years on On 9 December 1992, United States (US) Marines, under the command of Lieutenant General Robert Johnston, landed on the coast of Somalia as part of Operation Restore Hope. 1 General Charles Krulak, in his description of the ‘three block war’, captured some of the complexity of operations in… Read more »
Georgian Naval Warfare, Ships and Medicine 1714–1815
Introduction Previous articles in this series describe the development of a cycle from prehistory to the end of the Elizabethan period, whereby increasing trade necessitated larger and more efficient ships to transport merchandise and better weapons to defend or attack them, thereby facilitating further trading opportunities. 1,2,3,4,5,6 However, it was not until the 18th century that… Read more »
Behaviour Change Techniques, Barriers and Facilitators for Promoting Self-managed Physical Activity in Australian Defence Force Veterans: A Mixed-methods Study
Abstract Objectives: Australian Defence Force veterans find self-management of health challenging, and little is known about best-practice approaches for promoting self-managed physical activity in this population. This study assessed the strategies used by health professionals to support veteran patients to self-manage their physical activity regimes and their perceptions concerning the barriers and facilitators that impact… Read more »
Should the Australian Defence Force Conduct a Drug Trial of Wakefulness-Promoting Medications?
Abstract Fatigue jeopardises soldiers’ lives, and despite caffeine being the approved wakefulness aid in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), its efficacy equals a placebo with unwanted side effects. The US Military uses modafinil as an alternative, but no ADF studies on modafinil exist. This article argues for exploring alternatives, ensuring consent and conducting willingness-to-participate studies… Read more »
Antimalarial Drug Supply Issues during the Second World War
Abstract Malaria was a major cause of casualties during World War II in the Southwest Pacific, and drug supply issues were acute strategic concerns. The capture of the cinchona plantations of Indonesia by the Japanese Imperial Army and the lack of manufacturing capacity for synthetic substitutes were significant logistical constraints that limited Allied combat operations… Read more »
Book Review of Signature Wounds: The Untold Story of the Military’s Mental Health Crisis
Signature Wounds: The untold story of the military’s mental health crisis By David Kieran. New York: New York University Press 2019. ISBN 978-1479892365. AU$32.98. Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw Warning: This review includes information on mental illness, trauma and suicide that may be disturbing to some readers. Support is available through your Chain of Command, Chaplaincy… Read more »
Untangling the Forward Blood Transfusion Conversation
Forward blood transfusion has, for good reason, gained significant attention from Defence leadership and within the Australian military health profession. However, we’ve observed that conversations regarding the forward fresh whole blood (FWB) transfusion capability often confuse or entangle with discussions about autologous FWB transfusion training. This poses two distinct risks. First, there is the potential… Read more »
RE. Autologous Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion Training – a Narrative Review and Report of U.S. Military Experience
We write in response to the letter to the editor “Untangling the Forward Blood Transfusion Conversation” and thank the authors for their interest in our article on “Autologous Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion Training – a Narrative Review and Report of U.S. Military Experience”1. We acknowledge the concerns raised over possible intertwining autologous Fresh Whole Blood… Read more »
Average 70kg D**khead: Motivational Lessons from an Ex-Army Special Forces Doctor
Warning: This review delves into trauma issues that may be distressing to some readers. Support is available through your Chain of Command, Chaplaincy or Health Centre, Lifeline 131144 or Open Arms 1800 011 046. Dan Pronk tells his story of transformation from a chubby average kid who joins the Army to train as a doctor… Read more »
Guest Editorial
“For Every Drop Shed in Anguish” In February this year a new sculpture was dedicated in the grounds of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Its purpose was described as being “a place at the Memorial for those who have experienced and witnessed the ongoing trauma that can result from military service and for visitors… Read more »
Ex-Royal New Zealand Dental Corps Dentist and Korean Veteran turns 100
A few years ago, JMVH published an article on the Korean War. The front-page photograph showed a Royal New Zealand Dental Corps officer working in a Field Dental Unit. That officer was Major (Rtd) Alan Cull OBE. On Thursday 28 March, Alan celebrated his 100th birthday at a dinner hosted by the Manawatu Officers’ Club… Read more »
Efficacy of RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) Kit in the Management of Acute Sulfuric Acid Burns in Rabbits
Abstract RSDL® (Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion) Kit is approved for decontaminating chemical warfare agents and T-2 fungal toxins. This work aimed to investigate the efficacy of RSDL or water irrigation for sulfuric acid dermal decontamination against untreated control in rabbit models. Rabbits were randomly assigned to Groups 1 (no decontamination), 2 (water) or 3 (RSDL) and… Read more »
An Acute Respiratory Illness Outbreak Investigation at an Australian Defence Force Training Establishment
O Williams, C Lau, V Ross Abstract Background: Influenza outbreaks can spread rapidly in confined settings such as military training establishments, impacting operational capability. There are few published examples of influenza outbreak investigations in contemporary Australian military settings. Methods: An outbreak investigation was conducted in response to an increase in acute respiratory illness (ARI) cases… Read more »
2023 AMMA Conference
