Military medicine
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Military personnel frequently experience stressful, morally challenging situations that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationships between moral identity, transgressive acts, and symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (i.e., posttraumatic stress symptoms; PTSS) among U.S. Army Soldiers were assessed. ⋯ The study highlights the significant role of self-attributed moral transgressions during deployment in the development of PTSS among military service members-especially in those with a strong internalized moral identity. This finding suggests a "target of opportunity" for the development of intervention strategies that mitigate PTSS by addressing the moral dimensions of military service.
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Cumulative low-level blast exposure during military training may be a significant occupational hazard, increasing the risk of poor long-term outcomes in brain function. US Public Law 116-92 section 717 mandates that US Department of Defense agencies document the blast exposure of each Service member to help inform later disability and health care decisions. However, which empirical measures of training blast exposure, such as the number of incidents, peak overpressure, or impulse, best inform changes in the neurobehavioral symptoms reflecting brain health have not been established. ⋯ These results indicate that measures of cumulative blast impulse may have utility in predicting changes in NSI scores. Such paired dosimetry-symptom measures are expected to be an important tool in safely guiding Service members' occupational exposure and optimizing force readiness and lethality.
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Cases of active tuberculosis (TB) in the U. S. Military have fallen over the last century in large part due to improved screening and treatment options. ⋯ Atypical medications required coordination with the FDA for procurement. An extensive surveillance plan for medication adverse effects was required. Finally, questions of public health authority versus patient autonomy arose requiring multidisciplinary input and ethical discussions.
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The main goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of a head-mounted display (HMD) providing telemedicine neurosurgical support during a decompressive craniectomy by a military surgeon who is isolated from readily available neurosurgical care. The secondary aim was to assess the usability perceived by the military surgeon and to evaluate technical aspects of the head-mounted display. ⋯ It is feasible to provide telemedicine neurosurgical support with a HMD during a decompressive craniectomy performed by a non-neurosurgically trained military surgeon. All military surgeons showed competence in performing a decompressive craniectomy after receiving a standardized concise lecture. The use of a HMD clearly demonstrated the potential to improve the quality of these neurosurgical procedures performed by military surgeons.
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Since the War in Afghanistan began in 2001, service members have faced significant health effects related to service during war, with female-designated service members facing unique challenges. Numerous high-quality review articles have been published on the health and care of female-designated service members and veterans. Given the increasing volume of literature, we completed an overview of reviews on the health and health care of female-designated military populations. Our objective was to conduct an overview of reviews on the obstetrics and gynecologic health and health care of female-designated military populations since 2000 to understand female-specific health consequences of military service during war and make clinical recommendations. ⋯ Female-designated military populations serving during periods of war face unique health challenges that should be considered in screening practices and the delivery of trauma informed care. Further research and reviews are needed for female-specific oncology, fertility, abortion access, and sexual and non-binary and expansive gender identities to better capture female-designated service member and veteran health during wartime and beyond.