Article

2004-12-10 Iraq-Jordan

Casualties of War — Military Care for the Wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan

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Posted by Steve White 2004-12-10 12:00:00 AM|| || Front Page|| [5 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Hats off to the Armed Forces medical teams. They are doing an incredible job under tough conditions. One concern is the mentioned shortage of personnel. I thought the US government subsidized the education of many doctors via grants for Reserve, inner city or rural service. Where are they? Also it seems like a good idea to rotate civilian trauma personnel through military units for 6 months or so, both to increase care levels and doctor training.

Posted by ed 2004-12-10 6:39:00 AM|| 2004-12-10 6:39:00 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Having been a National Health Service corps recipient, I tried to get transferred to the Navy or Airforce to serve my commitment. The bureaucrats in Washington would not share their booty, so to speak. I'm in JAX, and for years the knowledge flow has gone the other direction; we train military medical personnel at our local Knife and Gun Club (U-F Medical Center) so they could see some real trauma. I'm too old for that now, but still give free flight physicals to military and police pilots who's tail stands between bullets and me.

Posted by Kevin H MD 2004-12-10 8:35:25 AM|| 2004-12-10 8:35:25 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 Shands Kevin? Or does UF have a facility in Jacksonville?

Posted by Shipman 2004-12-10 8:55:50 AM|| 2004-12-10 8:55:50 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Ed, hasn't been true for quite a while -- last time they funded a lot of docs' training was in the '80's, as I recall. I think they still have some sort of financial program for nurses. Kevin is right about the NHS: my understanding is that the NHS wanted to train docs for underserved areas, not the military.

The armed forces do advertise heavily in medical journals, but that generally is aimed at residents, fellows (advanced trainees) or physicians who have already completed training and are looking to make a change.

I posted this article for a couple of reasons: 1) the organization of medical care is very interesting and likely different than many of the vets here remember from their time in service, 2) I'm pleased that the NEJM would put forward a positive, careful description of military medical care.

Disclaimer: the editor of the NEJM and I are friends; he's a great physician-scientist and a great guy.

Posted by Steve White 2004-12-10 9:01:11 AM|| 2004-12-10 9:01:11 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Thanks for this posting, Steve. Very informative. FTR, I've been trying to work with Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in DC to volunteer some time with the soldiers recuperating there. Not having much luck, yet. The volunteer services are apparently run by the American Red Cross. The person I spoke with said I would need orientation, which they won't offer again until February. "Fine," I said, "Put me on the list." "We don't have a list," he said, "you just show up." Aargh.

Posted by Seafarious 2004-12-10 11:08:46 AM|| 2004-12-10 11:08:46 AM|| Front Page Top

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