Field medicine gets tested

By Capt Al Green
Volume 11, No. 41, April 20, 2006

Chop chop: LCpl Michael McLaughlin, Spr Ben Northcott and Spr David Small, 3 Tp, Emergency Response Sqn, demonstrate how to remove a casualty from a car after an accident.Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram.

DEALING with mass casualties is a daunting prospect, but it’s one that Army medical staff are trained and equipped to deal with.

James Cook University (JCU) first- and second-year Medical School students recently visited Lavarack Barracks to access subject matter experts in this field.

Covering four disciplines – multiple casualty, resuscitation, preventative medicine and emergency response – the training involved about 100 medical students in casualty scenario integrative learning sessions.

Assisting in the coordination of the activity, Maj Berlioz-Nott, OC Health Coy, 3CSSB, said that the training had a practical focus.

“These activities articulated to the students the application of emergency and preventative procedures in a realistic setting,” Maj Berlioz-Nott said.

She said emergency procedures did not differ greatly whether in an Army tent in the field or in a hospital.
“We were able to demonstrate that the capabilities that Defence employs in a field environment provide the best possible health care to our soldiers,” she said.

The hands-on, interactive demonstrations elicited an enthusiastic response from the medical students that impressed Scientific Officer Capt Richard Youll.

“There were certainly some pertinent and searching questions that came up during discussion time,” he said.
In field medicine, environmental health is a critical complementary aspect, important in stabilising those under care and in prevention of unnecessary casualties. Specialist in the field, Capt Brady McPherson demonstrated to the students the importance of maintaining field health controls.

“The environmental health team was able to broaden the clinicians’ perspective on public-health matters and the preventative measures,” he said.

The training was also a great opportunity to promote military service as a career of choice for the future GPs and medical specialists.

Cpl Chris Place, Defence Force Recruiting, said Defence offered exciting career opportunities for undergraduate medical students and could ease the financial burden during study.