Military medicine
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Diphyllobothrium, also known as the "Broad Tapeworm" or "Fish Tapeworm," is a genus of Cestoda acquired through the consumption of undercooked fish. Although infection by a Diphyllobothrium spp. in the United States is rare, it remains an important global zoonosis, with an estimated burden of approximately 20 million people worldwide. ⋯ S. naval vessel at sea, illustrating the importance of military medical providers considering Tapeworm infection even when risk factors seem remote. Diagnostic considerations, practical limitations of the Ova and Parasite (O&P) exam, particulars of specimen collection and handling, and recommendations for empiric treatment in the operational setting will be reviewed.
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Cohesion within military teams is not only vital to their performance but also modulates the adverse impact of work stressors on mental health, including depression, distress, and morale. This study stems from previous findings concerning cohesion during recruit training in the Australian Army. In that study, ratings of cohesion clustered on three dimensions, namely horizontal bonding among team members, vertical bonding with leaders, and organizational bonding with the wider army. Ratings on all three dimensions increased during recruit training, similar to what has been during U.S. Army basic training. The present study takes the next step, which is to determine the relationship between team cohesion and external measures of group performance during training in three types of military occupational specialty, specifically, infantry, quartermaster, and administrative clerk. ⋯ The present results during military occupational specialty training paralleled previous findings that Australian Army recruits quickly developed solid team cohesion early in their training, which generally continued to rise in all three courses. Furthermore, as seen previously with recruits, vertical bonding between section members in all three courses and their instructor leaders tended to be higher than horizontal bonding among team members, which in turn was higher than vertical bonding of the trainees with the wider Army. These findings have useful implications for health professionals. When discussing feelings of depression, distress, and low morale, health professionals might explore a military member's sense of bonding with their team members, their leaders, and their wider organization as possible contributors to their concerns. By the same token, advice aimed at promoting cohesion may help evoke their protective effects.