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Background: Skill fade is a potential issue in any military medical training environment Within the current New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) medic training programme, emergency skills are taught and practised in a simulated environment but are rarely used in real-life situations As there is infrequent exposure to emergency situations during training, there is a potential for skill fade to occur with some emergency techniques One such technique is the use of supraglottic airway devices (SADs) as used in the prehospital emergency environment from both a military and civilian context However, an optimum training interval has not been clearly defined for this skill within a military medic context Purpose: This literature review explores the issue of skill fade, in particular with prehospital emergency airway management using SADs This review can guide the framework for an evaluative study, which could be conducted in a military medic training context to help determine the extent of skill fade and how it could be mitigated through manipulation of training intervals Material and methods: Literature was reviewed from military and civilian prehospital contexts to identify key extant studies in the use of SADs The review has been placed in a wider context of skill fade within emergency care training in general as well as recognising the unique military contexts in which prehospital emergency care is provided Discussion: Several studies identified that the rate of skill fade within emergency care is consistent across several medical disciplines, with skill fade occurring from around eight weeks and peak decline at six months Different instructional methods do not seem to reduce skill fade when used in isolation, suggesting a mixedmethod approach is needed with regular retesting to ensure competency in the use of SADs The review did not identify any research that specifically explored the issue of skill fade within NZDF medic training; however, the information provided would assist further research in this area Conflict of interest: The author does not have a conflict of interest Preliminary planning of this literature review and potential research commenced while the author was employed by the NZDF as a civilian medical lecturer at the Defence Health School at Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch The paper was completed while employed as an academic at Canterbury University No payment or royalty has been received All expenses incurred in retrieving literature was met by Canterbury University [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Influenza outbreaks can spread rapidly in confined settings such as military training establishments, impacting operational capability. There are few published examples of influenza outbreak investigations in contemporary Australian military settings. Methods: An outbreak investigation was conducted in response to an increase in acute respiratory illness (ARI) cases presenting to an Australian military base health centre in June/July 2019. The investigation included a case test-negative analysis and an estimate of the 2019 influenza vaccine effectiveness in the outbreak population. Results: A total of 66 cases presented during the outbreak; 27 (40.9%) with confirmed influenza cases, 4 (6.1%) with suspected cases of influenza and 35 (53.0%) cases of non-influenza ARI. Those with confirmed influenza infection were significantly more likely to be from the main training unit on base, have a recorded fever over 38oC, and have not received the 2019 influenza vaccine. Cases of confirmed influenza also had significantly more time off work than those with non-influenza ARI. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated at 83% (95% CI = 42% to 95%), with an odds ratio of 0.17 (95% CI = 0.052 to 0.554) of confirmed influenza in those with 2019 influenza vaccination record compared to those without. Conclusion: This outbreak investigation reinforced the Australian Defence Force's policy on influenza vaccination. It highlighted the impact that influenza can have on training and work capability, the need for ongoing outbreak surveillance and investigation, and areas for consideration in improving future outbreak control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

War veterans experience significant social isolation due to problems in their cognitive-emotional process Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the mediating role of sensitivity to rejection in the relationship between emotional inhibition and social isolation in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) In this descriptive and correlational research, 300 veterans with PTSD, admitted and treated at Isar Psychiatric Hospital in Ardabil, Iran, in 2022, were selected as a targeted sample and investigated throughout the process The study made use of Russell's Social Isolation Scale (1996), Kellner's Emotional Inhibition Questionnaire (1986), and Berenson et al 's (2009) Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire for data collection They were then analysed utilising Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using SPSS and Lisrel 8 8 software The results confirmed the causal relationship between emotional suppression, rejection sensitivity, and social isolation in veterans with PTSD based on various fit indices Inhibition of emotion and sensitivity to rejection directly affected the social isolation of veterans with PTSD Moreover, emotional inhibition through sensitivity to rejection indirectly affected the social isolation of veterans with PTSD (P<0 05) Therefore, emotional inhibition and sensitivity to rejection play a vital role in the social isolation of PTSD patients In addition, targeting these two components through psychological treatments can effectively reduce the social isolation of veterans with PTSD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes stakeholder perspectives on good practice in dysphagia support in the disability service context. Twelve adults with dysphagia were interviewed. Twenty-four allied health professionals, sixteen family members and seventeen disability support workers (DSWs) completed a questionnaire and three focus groups for DSWs were conducted. Results indicated overwhelming support for a range of service improvements including mandatory training for support workers. Findings will be used to inform an organisational dysphagia support standard and to promote service reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the current knowledge of uniform police at one 24-hour police station regarding people with communication disabilities, in order to implement effective communication strategies, and award the Communication Access Symbol. Twenty-nine frontline uniform police from one police station responded to a paper-based survey that probed the frequency of their interactions with people with a communication disability and their knowledge of communication strategies. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results indicated that although the majority of respondents were experienced police who frequently faced difficulties in interactions, they had limited communication strategies and had received little or no training in using visual supports. The results from the survey informed the communication strategies that speech language pathologists will employ to address the barriers police face in initial interactions with community members with communication disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language sample analysis (LSA) is highly recommended in the literature as a clinical tool for diagnosis, goal-setting and measuring effectiveness. This paper describes a project undertaken by a team of speech-language pathologists in a school context, whereby language samples of a narrative retell task from 91 children with developmental language disorder (DLD) were analysed using systematic analysis of language transcription (SALT) at two testing points. This was done in an effort to streamline usual narrative analysis processes and to evaluate the effectiveness of whole school narrative programming. Children's linguistic performance on narrative macrostructure and microstructure measures, and suggestions for future directions are discussed. Conclusions from the project suggest SALT is a valuable clinical tool for evaluating intervention program effectiveness that is transferable to the school context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To describe the pattern of sickbay utilisation and lost time aboard a RAN Major Fleet Unit during a prolonged overseas deployment. Methods: A prospective cohort analysis was performed on the ships company of an Australian warship (n = 226) over a 100 day overseas deployment to multiple ports, to analyse sickbay utilisation (number of consultations) and lost time (number of days on reduced duties). Statistical analysis was performed using regression analysis, ANOVA and partitioning methods. Results: Female gender and smoking were associated with increased sickbay utilisation and lost time. Males with MEC class 1 or non-smoking males with MEC 201 or worse were protective of sickbay utilisation. Being a non-smoking male over 22 years was protective of lost time. Gender, rank, MEC, age and smoker were all found to be discriminators. BMI was not related to either sickbay utilisation or lost time. Conclusions: Being a male with no medical restrictions at the time of deployment was protective of sickbay utilisation, and being a non-smoking male older than 22 was associated with reduced morbidity. No association was found between BMI and either sickbay utilisation or morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International studies suggest that high-dose opioid use is more common in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those without in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. Purpose: This article aims to examine the use of analgesics by Australian veterans with musculoskeletal pain by conducting a drug utilisation evaluation and to examine use by PTSD status. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Vietnam veterans with musculoskeletal pain was conducted using Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) data. The study reviewed the proportion of dispensed prescription analgesics between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016. The volume of opioids dispensed per veteran was calculated as oral morphine equivalents (OME). Results were stratified by PTSD status. Results: 10 318 Vietnam veterans with musculoskeletal pain were included and 59% were dispensed analgesics. The most frequently dispensed analgesics were paracetamol (dispensed to 31% of veterans with PTSD and 28% without PTSD; p<0.01) and paracetamol with 30 mg codeine (19% of veterans with PTSD and 16% without; p<0.0001). Opioid analgesics were more likely to be dispensed to veterans with PTSD than without (35% v 32%, p=0.002); however, there was no significant difference in the volume dispensed (median of 1.2 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.4-5.8] OMEs per veteran per day for those with PTSD, compared to median 1.3 OMEs [IQR 0.4-6.3] per veteran per day for those without, p=0.3). Conclusion: Many veterans with service-related musculoskeletal pain did not receive prescription analgesics. Veterans with PTSD were more likely to be dispensed analgesics than those without, but PTSD did not appear to influence the volume of opioid dispensed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed the extent to which alcohol consumption in a military group differed from the general population, and how alcohol affected the military group's health and social functioning. Methods: A cross sectional survey of military personnel (n = 5311) collected self-reported data on alcohol use (AUDIT scale) and general health, role limitations because of physical health problems (role physical), and social functioning scores (SF36 subscales). Logistic regression was used to compare drinking behaviours between the military sample and a general population sample, using the categories risky drinkers (>2 units per day), low risk drinkers (≤2 standard drinks per day) and abstainers. Groups in the military sample with the highest levels of alcohol misuse (harmful drinking AUDIT ≥ 16, alcohol dependence AUDIT ≥ 20, and binge drinking) were also identified. Linear regression models were then used to assess the association between alcohol misuse and SF36 scores. Results: There were fewer risky drinkers in the military sample than in the general population sample. There were also fewer abstainers, but more people who drank at a lower risk level (≤2 standard drinks per day), than in a sample of the general population. Harmful drinking and alcohol dependence were most commonly observed in men, younger age groups, non-commissioned officers and lower ranks as well as reserve and ex-serving groups. Alcohol misuse was clearly associated with poorer general health scores, more role limitations because of physical health problems, and lower social functioning. Conclusions: Although risky drinking was lower in the military group than in the general population, drinking was associated with poorer health, more limitations because of physical health problems, and poorer social functioning in Defence members. These results highlight the potential benefits for Defence forces in reducing alcohol use among members, in both those groups identified at highest risk, and across the military workforce as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Millions of veterans living in the United States suffer from mental illness. Understanding the correlates of mental illness can help target treatment to individuals in need and prevent mental distress, leading to healthier veterans and lower healthcare costs. Objective: To examine risk factors for mental illness among those who have served or currently serve in active duty military service in the U.S. armed forces. Methods: Data were from the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between mental distress and age, race, gender, education, income, employment, time since service, marital status, number of dependent children, physical health, sleep, and emotional support among former or active duty military population. Results: Almost 9% of respondents reported frequent mental distress (FMD). Those with FMD were more likely to be minorities, young, single and female. The unemployed and those in poor physical health also had greater odds of FMD. Conclusion: Because individuals with physical ailments and lacking employment were most likely to report distress, physical therapy services and programs to address unemployment and poverty can have a positive impact on the mental health of veterans. Education and training programs and physical therapy offices may be excellent sites for FMD screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited research regarding the clinical practice of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) within sub-acute brain injury rehabilitation. This constrains the ability of SLPs to provide services based on high levels of evidence, with evidence from similar populations utilised to guide clinical practice instead. This article reports the results of a survey investigating the clinical practice and service delivery of SLPs working in Australian Brain Injury Rehabilitation Units (BIRUs). SLPs across eight BIRUs participated. Wide variation was found in staffing levels across the services, impacting service delivery and therapy intensity. Similarities were demonstrated in many areas of therapy provision, with patterns seen in prioritisation and service intensity. A variety of services and interventions were provided to meet the wide range of client goals and needs, in line with international guidelines. Ongoing research into sub-acute rehabilitation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]