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The Four Horsemen In the Editorial that I wrote in January 2021, I was speculating what the imminent roll-out of the COVID vaccines would mean for Australia and the world. Over the last 12 months, we have seen the successful roll-out of 4 vaccines and vaccination rates reaching unprecedented levels, with rates of over 95%… Read more »
Author’s Note This article is the last of a series regarding the role of occupational and environmental medicine in the ADF.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 These articles and a recent Productivity Commission inquiry11 describe why high workplace illness and injury rates confirm the need to improve the management of hazards associated with ADF workplaces, with better emphasis on prevention…. Read more »
Abstract Background: Injury distributions showed that extremity injuries accounted for a higher percentage of all combat injuries. Extremity injuries were responsible for the greatest consumption of resources during the treatment period. Combat-related extremity injuries disabled 64% of those injured. Purpose: The study aimed to assess musculoskeletal pain associated with combat-related lower limb injuries leading to… Read more »
Abstract Therapeutic fly-fishing is a nature-based intervention that is experiencing increased use to adjunct mental health treatment with current and former uniformed service professionals. While promising, literature suggesting the use of therapeutic fly-fishing with evidenced-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or any other mode of psychotherapy, does not appear to exist. This raises several… Read more »
Abstract Background: Chemical veterans are commonly faced with physical, psychological, occupational and social problems. These veterans use relatively high levels of complementary and alternative medicine. Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) usage and quality of life of chemical warfare veterans. Material and methods: Three hundred and… Read more »
Abstract Contemporary battlefield trauma surgery in the Middle East Region has been characterised by aeromedical evacuation by rotatory wing (RWAME) with relative impunity. Therefore, future health planning needs to consider an environment whereby RWAME movement may be degraded or denied by a near-peer, peer or superior threat. To that end, an exploration of alternative approaches… Read more »
Abstract Previous research suggests that public estimates of mental health problems in US veterans who returned from the deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan exceed actual concerns. The present project examines how sociodemographic factors may contribute to victimising perceptions of US Army Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans by conducting a free word-association task. A total of 245… Read more »
Introduction The cost of recruiting and training a military trainee is substantial. In 1999, Rudzki and Cunningham estimated the cost of recruiting and training a new Australian Defence Force (ADF) member to be $A9000, with a net cost of $A14 245 if they were discharged after 10 weeks.1 This cost will be significantly higher in… Read more »
Abstract Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD), encompassing urinary incontinence (UI), anal incontinence (AI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and various other conditions associated with pelvic floor muscles, is prevalent in military women and female elite athletes. Thus, it is important to consider specific prevention and management strategies that these women are currently using, and their safety… Read more »
Abstract Although historically greatly feared due to its ability to kill quickly from dehydration, cholera has not featured in recent ADF military operations except in 2010 when United Nations Peacekeepers from Nepal were linked to the introduction of cholera into post- earthquake Haiti. The collapse of field sanitation during the building of the Thai–Burma railway… Read more »
Abstract The Australian Defence Force (ADF) aspires to provide high-quality medical care to personnel deployed on operations. Medical procedural specialists are key enablers of this capability. In the late 20th Century, the ADF relied upon Reserve clinicians to staff deployed health facilities. Though generally successful, this approach is limited in the extent to which it… Read more »
