Military medicine
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Perfused cadavers are viable training models for operating room surgical skills, increasing fidelity of vascular anatomy, dissection, and tissue handling. In addition, perfused cadavers may have benefits in military medical training environments with a focus on hemorrhage control and vascular access. ⋯ Perfused cadavers can be implemented effectively for hemorrhage control training, surgical and procedure skills, and even exercises in austere environments, but require significant logistical and planning considerations. The training value is maximized with a progressive curriculum from hemorrhage control iterations to more invasive surgical procedures, such as thoracotomy and exploratory laparotomy.
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Sport and tactical populations are often impacted by musculoskeletal injury. Many publications have highlighted that risk is correlated with multiple variables. There do not appear to be existing studies that have evaluated a predetermined combination of risk factors that provide a pragmatic model for application in tactical and/or sports settings. ⋯ In addition to variables typically collected in this tactical setting (Injury History, BMI, and aerobic fitness), the inclusion of kinematic testing appears to enhance the precision of the risk identification model and will likely continue to be included in screening cadets at greater risk.
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The Head Shake Sensory Organization Test (HS-SOT) assesses postural stability while the head is moving and may also identify deficits in attention associated with the dual task conditions of moving the head at a specified speed while maintaining balance. Normative values for the HS-SOT have not been established in a healthy military population or other highly trained populations such as athletes. Establishing normative values in a military population will enable clinicians to compare the scores of patients with medical conditions that affect postural stability and sensory integration such as concussion or traumatic brain injury, vestibular dysfunction, or migraine to those of a healthy population to determine a need for intervention and for return to duty considerations. The purposes of this cross-sectional study were to establish normative values for the HS-SOT within the military population, to determine whether HS-SOT scores differed between men and women or among age groups, and to determine whether HS-SOT scores differed from scores on similar conditions of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT). ⋯ This study established normative values for the HS-SOT in a military population. Equilibrium scores did not differ between men and women or among age groups, suggesting that these values can be used as reference points for most service members. Postural stability was found to be significantly challenged during head motion, indicating the HS-SOT is a valuable tool for identifying subtle impairments in postural stability. These findings have important implications for early detection and intervention in individuals with medical conditions affecting balance, particularly concussions or vestibular disorders.
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Military medical personnel are crucial in providing life-saving care at the point of injury (POI) in challenging environments such as combat zones and disaster areas. This article examines the specialized training US Military medical personnel undergo before deployment and the increasing trend of deploying as part of multinational forces in operations like those in Afghanistan with NATO and non-NATO countries. Integrating medical teams from diverse backgrounds poses significant challenges in maintaining a cohesive and efficient team due to varying trauma management training standards and medical practices among the allied forces. ⋯ The need for ongoing education and developing a standard for managing trauma patients in international teams is emphasized to ensure effective communication and coordination. The article suggests that multinational trauma training can significantly improve team cohesion and critical life-saving skills, essential for future battlefields where access to definitive care may be delayed. Further research is recommended to explore the best methods for achieving effective multinational medical team integration and training standardization.
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This study aimed to examine the relationships between dissociative and somatic symptoms and how they might contribute to PTSD severity among ex-soldiers who sought help from the IDF Combat Stress Reaction Unit (CSRU). ⋯ While there is direct reference to dissociation in the clinical assessment by PCL or CAPS, there is no such reference to somatization. Highly functioning combatants sometimes express their distress somatically. Our findings suggest regarding severe somatic symptoms as diagnostic criteria for PTSD.