Editorial – Transformation of War
Transformation of War In 1991, Martin van Creveld, in ‘The Transformation of War’, speculated on what the character of war would be in a post-Cold War era.1 His assessment focused on who would be fighting, the reasons for and the aim of the conflict, and how and why war would be fought in the future.1 van… Read more »
Fundamental Inputs to (ADF Health) Capability: Overview
Introduction This paper—and the series to date and to follow—is based on conclusions reached in a previous series by the author regarding occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.61,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 The previous series describes why high workplace illness and injury rates confirm the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better… Read more »
Mauled by a Lion – How Spiritual Wounds and Injuries Present
Abstract The mauling that some veterans suffer as a result of issues such as shame, anger, self-abuse and depression are very real, lasting and painful aspects of their lives. For a Religious/Spiritual Practitioner (RSP), or indeed any treating practitioner, to make a meaningful contribution towards treating a Spiritual Wound and Injury (SW&I) they must determine… Read more »
Book review of Hitler’s Tyranny: A History in Ten Chapters: The Last Adventurer-Conqueror
The last adventurer-conqueror: A review of Hitler’s Tyranny: A history in ten chapters By Ralf Georg Reuth, Translated by Peter Lewis Reviewed by Robert M Kaplan The 20th century was the most murderous period in history. Between them, Mao Zedong, Josef Stalin and Adolf Hitler killed millions of people. While the first two are relatively… Read more »
Alcohol Misuse Among Military Veterans with Subjective Cognitive Decline
Abstract Although binge drinking has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of cognitive decline, much less attention has been paid to binge drinking among patients already experiencing cognitive decline. Given that military veterans in the general population are more likely to engage in unhealthy alcohol consumption, we hypothesised that veteran–nonveteran disparities… Read more »
Acute Schistosomiasis: The ‘Fluke’ That Saved Taiwan
Abstract Acute schistosomiasis is rarely of military concern, but epidemics have disrupted tropical operations. Acute schistosomiasis is particularly challenging to diagnose because it presents as a non-specific febrile disease, often with an urticarial rash before parasites appear in the stool. US Army combat engineers were infected during bridge construction on Leyte in the invasion of… Read more »
Psychological Screening in the Australian Defence Force: An Historical and Contemporary Analysis of what Works
Abstract With a rapid and significant rise in psychological screening within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) over the past 20 years, ambiguity has developed between a psychological screen and a psychological assessment used for pre-employment and pre-deployment selection purposes. Additionally, confusion persists around what constitutes a mental health or psychology screen and when it should… Read more »
Unraveling the Interplay Between Self-efficacy and Decision-making in Military Contexts: A Systematic Review
Abstract The success of missions and personnel safety is contingent upon the ability to make effective decisions in the dynamic and high-pressure setting of military operations. This systematic review examines the relationship between self-efficacy and decision making in military settings. Six studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified through a rigorous search of electronic databases and… Read more »
Victorian Naval Warfare, Ships and Medicine 1815–1900
Introduction Previous articles described the development of a cycle from prehistory to the end of the Napoleonic wars, whereby increasing seaborne trade necessitated larger and more efficient ships, which led to more and better weapons to defend or attack them, thereby creating further trading opportunities.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 While the technical developments in ships, weapons and medicine often… Read more »
Guest Editorial – Major General Professor TJ Hodgetts
Major General Professor TJ Hodgetts CB CBE KHS DSc PhD MMEd MBA Chair, Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services NATO Headquarters, Boulevard Leopold III, Brussels, Belgium Common Military Medicine Challenges in an Increasingly Unstable World The 45th International Congress on Military Medicine (ICMM) was hosted in Brisbane, Australia, from 16 to 20 September 2024…. Read more »
Melanoma in Aircrew and Defence Members: A Narrative Literature Review
Abstract Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. While classical risk factors are well described, the literature debates whether specific subgroups in the community have an increased risk of developing the condition. These include those who work as aircrew or in the defence forces. While occupational skin cancer is increasingly recognised, it is… 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 »
Caring for Post-9/11 Veterans in the Civilian Sector: Knowledge and Readiness of Registered and Advance Practice Nurse Providers
Abstract Importance: Since 2001, 3.5 million United States service members deployed overseas in support of the post-9/11 Global War on Terror. While healthy and fit upon deployment, veterans have experienced many complex and often unexplainable illnesses and chronic diseases, with more than 520 000 being diagnosed with cancer. With the implementation of the VA MISSION… 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 »
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 »
Measuring Dental Fear and Anxiety in New Zealand Defence Force Personnel
Abstract Background: The widely-used Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) has practical and theoretical limitations. The Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear (IDAF-4C) was developed to overcome these shortcomings but requires more psychometric analysis to determine its utility. Purpose: To compare DAS and IDAF-4C validity and reliability among New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel. Material and methods:… Read more »
Book Review: Average 70kg D**khead: Motivational Lessons from an Ex-Army Special Forces Doctor
Average 70kg D**khead: Motivational Lessons from an Ex-Army Special Forces Doctor By Dan Pronk. Fremantle: Vivid Publishing, 2019. ISBN 978-1925846744. Reviewed by Darren Cronshaw 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… Read more »
Self-esteem, Stigma and Attitudes Concerning Seeking Mental Help in the Military Environment
Introduction The present study aims to investigate how self-esteem and perceptions of self or public stigma may influence a) the attitudes towards seeking professional mental health help in the military environment and b) the intentions to seek professional mental health help. The military is associated with duties of high risks, which often cause exposure to… 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 »
Editorial – Somalia – 30 years on
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 »
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2025 AMMA Conference
