Australasian Military Medicine Association

10/06/2026

"The Effects of Current Cold Chain Management Equipment in Controlling the Temperature of Thermolabile Medications and Temperature Sensitive Diagnostics, Dressings and Fluids in A Routine Australian Defence Force Operating/Exercise Environment" by E Daly, N Evans and S Holmes-Brown examines how effectively the Australian Defence Force maintains the cold chain for medications and medical supplies during field exercises. Research findings reveal that existing storage containers and logistical protocols frequently fail to keep temperature-sensitive items within the required thermal ranges, leading to significant cold-chain breaches. These failures compromise the safety and efficacy of pharmaceuticals, potentially putting military personnel at risk during treatment. The authors suggest that current equipment is inadequate for harsh environmental conditions and recommend adopting specialized cooling technologies. Ultimately, the report advocates for stricter regulatory compliance and updated training to ensure military health support matches civilian standards.

Tune in here: https://jmvh.podbean.com/e/e64-the-effects-of-current-cold-chain-management-equipment-in-controlling-the-temperature-of-thermolabile-medication-by-e-daly

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/the-effects-of-current-cold-chain-management-equipment-in-controlling-the-temperature-of-thermolabile-medications-and-temperature-sensitive-diagnostics-dressings-and-fluids-in-a-routine-australian-de/

07/06/2026

"Acceleration-Induced atelectasis; a case with deceptive clinical manifestations for COVID-19 pneumonia"" by H Shahli & M Darvishi details a medical case study involving an F-14 pilot whose physical symptoms initially mimicked a COVID-19 infection. Despite presenting with a fever, cough, and low oxygen levels, diagnostic testing revealed that the patient was actually suffering from acceleration-induced atelectasis caused by high-gravity flight maneuvers. The text explains that this condition occurs when sustained gravitational forces and high oxygen concentrations cause lung segments to collapse. Fortunately, the aviator made a full recovery through respiratory rehabilitation and the use of mucolytic medication. The authors emphasize the importance of distinguishing this aviation-specific ailment from viral pneumonia to ensure accurate diagnoses during global health crises. This report serves as a critical reminder for military medical professionals to consider a patient's occupational history when evaluating deceptive clinical manifestations.

Tune in here: https://jmvh.podbean.com/e/e63-acceleration-induced-atelectasis-a-case-with-deceptive-clinical-manifestations-for-covid-19-pneumonia-by-h-shahli-m-darvishi

You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/acceleration-induced-atelectasis-a-case-with-deceptive-clinical-manifestations-for-covid-19-pneumonia/

03/06/2026

"BIOLOGICAL AGENTS Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever" by Sue Sharpe offers a comprehensive medical and epidemiological profile of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, a disease caused by the intracellular bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. It details how the pathogen is primarily transmitted through tick bites and describes the severe physiological impact of the infection, which targets endothelial cells and can lead to systemic organ damage. The source highlights the difficulty of early diagnosis due to non-specific symptoms like fever and muscle pain, emphasizing that prompt antibiotic treatment with tetracycline or doxycycline is critical for survival. Additionally, the article explores the infection's potential as a biological warfare agent, noting its high infectivity via aerosols despite its fragile nature outside a host. Ultimately, the text underscores the lack of an effective vaccine and the ongoing need for improved rapid diagnostic technologies to prevent fatal outcomes.

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You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/biological-agents-rocky-mountain-spotted-fever/

AETIOLOGY ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER (RMSF) is caused by the rickettsial pathogen Rickettsia rickettsii, an obligate, intracellular parasite. These microorganisms are very small (0.3m-0.5m). Extracellular R. rickettsii ceases metabolic activity and leak cellular components, losing infectivity with...

01/06/2026

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The Influence of Psychosocial Health on Military Performance: Fit for Service? by Johanna Weber and Martin Elbe

https://jmvh.org/article/the-influence-of-psychosocial-health-on-military-performance-fit-for-service/

Abstract When considering military fitness, the focus must be on psychological and physiological ability and thus suitability for service, determinants which are themselves influenced by health. Health, especially in the military context, is the product of several factors (including psychosocial one...

31/05/2026

"Toughening Up: Bullying in the British Army during the First World War" by S Walker explores the pervasive role of bullying and hazing within the British Army during World War I, framing these behaviors as tools for indoctrination and social control. The author examines how systemic humiliation was utilized by recruiters, officers, and the public to pressure men into service and enforce military discipline. Personal testimonies illustrate that while some soldiers viewed harsh treatment as a necessary part of "toughening up," others experienced profound psychological trauma or were driven to violent mutiny. The study further highlights how prejudice based on race, religion, and sexuality provided additional pretexts for the victimization of those perceived as different. By connecting historical abuses to modern military scandals, the text suggests that the struggle to distinguish between rigorous training and targeted abuse remains an unresolved institutional challenge. Ultimately, the source argues that coercive mistreatment was a fundamental, if damaging, component of the British soldier's experience during the Great War.

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You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/https-doi-ds-org-doilink-03-2023-43656364-jmvh-vol-31-no-1/

Abstract Hussar Trooper John Flood, Private C. Niblett and Private Jamie Benjafield are three British soldiers who had similar bullying experiences during their service in the British Army. All three men were antagonised by a fellow serviceman, were punished by the institution they served and felt a...

27/05/2026

"Psychosocial Risk Factors and their Impact on the Performance of Everyday Activities in Canadian Veterans" by AM Miguel-Cruz examines how psychosocial risk factors influence the ability of Canadian veterans to perform daily activities while managing chronic pain and mental health conditions. By analyzing clinical data through the Fear-Avoidance Model, the study identifies significant correlations between a veteran's perceived disability, catastrophic thinking, and feelings of injustice with their actual level of functional impairment. The authors utilize the Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement to advocate for a holistic, multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach that moves beyond treating isolated symptoms. Ultimately, the findings suggest that addressing a veteran's psychological outlook and fear of movement is essential for improving their quality of life and engagement in meaningful domestic or leisure roles. The text concludes that successful reintegration depends on helping former service members find new purpose and identity through the successful completion of everyday tasks.

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You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/psychosocial-risk-factors-and-their-impact-on-the-performance-of-everyday-activities-in-canadian-veterans/

Abstract Background: Psychosocial risk factors have been identified as factors for prolonged occupational disability in individuals with debilitating musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain and mental health conditions. Purpose: This study has the complementary aims of identifying the correlations of...

25/05/2026

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Hookworm in the Military, by G Dennis Shanks

https://jmvh.org/article/hookworm-in-the-military/

Abstract Soil-transmitted helminths such as hookworm are rarely a problem for military units unless they directly contact faecally contaminated soil during tropical operations. Localised epidemics incapacitating small infantry units have been recorded in the Solomon Islands and Bougainville during W...

24/05/2026

"When and How Military Students’ Self-Esteem May Become an Obstacle in Seeking Professional Mental Health Help When Needed?" by Vassiliki Karamanoli examines how self-esteem and social stigma impact the willingness of Greek military students to seek professional mental health services. Research indicates that while these students often acknowledge the effectiveness of psychological support, they frequently avoid it due to fears of appearing weak or damaging their careers. Interestingly, the findings suggest that high self-esteem among trainees can actually serve as a barrier, as it reinforces a social identity of strength that views seeking help as a violation of military virtues. Consequently, both self-stigma and public stigma negatively correlate with the intention to access care, even when individuals face significant emotional distress. The author concludes that targeted psychoeducation and supportive leadership are essential to decouple the pursuit of mental wellness from perceptions of professional failure.

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You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/self-esteem-stigma-and-attitudes-concerning-seeking-mental-help-in-the-military-environment/

Introduction The present study aims to investigate how self-esteem and perceptions of self or public stigma may influence a) the attitudes towards seeking professional mental health help in the military environment and b) the intentions to seek professional mental health help. The military is associ...

20/05/2026

"Logistics in The Falklands War" is a book review by Captain Arthur M Smith. This article explores the vital role of logistics during the 1982 Falklands War, using the British campaign as a primary case study for modern military planning. The author highlights how the United Kingdom overcame an 8,000-mile supply chain by utilizing civilian vessels and improvised medical facilities despite severe Argentine air attacks. Special attention is given to the medical challenges faced in the South Atlantic, including the rapid conversion of cruise ships into hospital platforms. Ultimately, the text argues that future amphibious operations must prioritize flexible, pragmatic logistics to succeed in contested environments. The source suggests that current defense forces should study these historical precedents to better prepare for the complexities of long-range expeditionary warfare.

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You can read the original article here: https://jmvh.org/article/logistics-in-the-falklands-war/

Captain Arthur M. Smith The recent Australian Defence White Paper 2016 defined the unique security challenges facing thenation. Strategic planning within the document includes recognition of the regional and global nature of the nation’s security interests, and the very different sets of challenge...

19/05/2026

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Completing the Hero’s Journey: An Integrative Psycho-Spiritual Framework Reimagining the Veteran Journey through Shadow to Self-Compassion and Sacred Purpose by, Professor Peter Devenish-Meares

https://jmvh.org/article/completing-the-heros-journey-an-integrative-psycho-spiritual-framework-reimagining-the-veteran-journey-through-shadow-to-self-compassion-and-sacred-purpose/

Abstract Military veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often struggle with psychological, moral, spiritual and existential wounds that exceed the reach of conventional symptom‑focused treatments. Through a search for and critical synthesis of interdisciplinary psychological a...