Medical practice on the front line: separating the myths  from the reality

Smart, Tracy L

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2003.tb05707.x

Topics

Medical officers (MOs) employed by the Armed Services are, in a sense, both doctors and warriors. The concept of being both a doctor and a warrior is quite difficult for many to grasp. How can someone who has elected to dedicate his or her life to healing be part of an organisation that may enter into armed conflict? How can healing and harming go hand in hand?

1 Based on a talk presented at the 3rd National Doctors’ Health Conference, “Surviving and thriving in medical practice”, Sydney, NSW, 13–14 September 2003, and adapted for publication by Dr Ann Gregory.
2 RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine, RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA.

Correspondence:

1. Bellamy RF. The causes of death in conventional land warfare: implications for combat casualty care research. Mil Med 1984; 149: 55-62.
2. Ramsey W, Bridgford LR, Lusby RJ, Pearn JH. The Australian Medical Support Force in Rwanda. Med J Aust 1995; 163: 646-651.
3. Hodson SE. Key predictors of post-trauma symptomatology in military peacekeeping veterans [thesis]. Sydney: Macquarie University, 2002.
4. Wright B. Survived the mission — still coming to terms with the consequences. Presented at the Australian Military Medical Association Conference; Oct 1999; Adelaide, SA.

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