Preventing post-traumatic stress disorders in military medical personnel

Abstract

Medical personnel in military units are highly vulnerable to post- traumatic stress disorder. They are removed from their conventional identity, stature, and social support system, and are deprived of a sense of control and physical comforts. They then must witness and immerse themselves in the gruesome results of warfare. Ideal training of medical personnel includes training intact units and functional teams, training on the deployment platform, and desensitizing with real casualty management. Using stress inoculation techniques prior to casualty handling, and providing for post- event debriefing (Critical Incidence Stress Debriefing), will reduce the incidence of combat casualty-induced stress disorders.