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A large preoccupation of junior medical officers in the military is to think about our return of service obligation and the decision on whether or not we will choose to stay beyond it. One of the most significant retaining factors will be whether or not we see ourselves enjoying the work that comes with the… Read more »
Mike Cadogan, Anthony FT Brown and Antonio Celenza* *1st edn, xvi + 576 pp, paperback with illustrations, ISBN 978-0-7295-3803-9. Sydney, Saunders (Imprint of Elsevier), RRP: $63.50, 2007. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare define ‘on call’ as “the number of hours in a week that a medical practitioner is required to be available to… Read more »
Many of mankind’s greatest discoveries have been made within the frame of warfare. Armed conflict produces an overwhelming drive to succeed, honing our initiative and pushing our skills to the utmost to produce that vital edge – and it has often been the case in battles that medical innovations have provided that edge. During the… Read more »
Reprinted from Critical Care Resuscitations 2006 8: 120:122 with the kind permission of The Editor, Critical Care Resuscitation Abstract We report a case of severe rapid-onset paralysis in a 28-year-old previously healthy man, necessitating intubation and mechanical ventilation, after a presumed bite or sting. Despite no other systemic manifestations of envenoming, the paralysis rapidly responded… Read more »
Introduction Unique aspects of the conflict in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO) have brought about a refinement in battlefield surgical techniques including the widespread use of damage control surgery (DCS). In addition, the conflict has also seen a new range of battlefield innovations, each credited with decreasing injury and mortality1 Management principles in… Read more »
Abstract Background Mass casualty situations can arise unexpectedly anywhere, anytime, as evidenced by recent natural disasters and terrorist activity around the globe. Although traditional emergency medical services centre around medically trained and paramedic personnel, dental practitioners have many skills and attributes that are of vital importance in responding to a mass casualty situation. Purpose This… Read more »
Inherent strengths of organization, speed, and efficiency commonly allow tactical military units, both land and sea based, to operate under hostile conditions as well as within adverse circumstances characterized by limited functioning societal infrastructure. Such qualities make them ideal for short term disaster relief operations. The events of 9/11/2001, however, prompted many strategic reassessments within… Read more »
Dear Sir, I refer to the recent JMVH article1 regarding the 2004 Stevens Review2 with respect to command of the ADF’s health services. Military health care is similar to civilian occupational health practice in that it involves three stakeholders: the clientele, their employer (ie commanders), and health service providers.To remain relevant military health organisations must… Read more »
At the recent announcement of the changes to the Single Service Chiefs of the Australian Defence Force, the Minister for Defence, The Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP made the following comments: “… the single biggest challenge facing the Australian Defence Force in the future is our people and skills shortage. … [E]ach service chief will be… Read more »
Vale Sandy Ferguson – 1917-2008 It is with great sadness that the Association records the passing of one of its Honorary Members, Surgeon Captain AS “Sandy” Ferguson, AM RFD VRD* RANR (Retd). Sandy Ferguson was an inspiration to all those who met him. An institution among Naval Reservists in Melbourne, and particularly at the former… Read more »
The July edition of JMVH as always contains a wealth of material. In his article International house calls: Public health or public relations?, Art Smith raises the thorny issue of the real impact of many non-emergent humanitarian missions that military forces around the world are often tasked with by their governments. He makes the point… Read more »
