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Remote Health Care at U.S. Antarctic Stations: A Comparison with Standard Emergency Medical Practice.
- Source :
-
Journal of Emergency Medicine (0736-4679) . May2019, Vol. 56 Issue 5, p544-550. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- <bold>Background: </bold>The three U.S. Antarctic research stations' medical facilities exist in an isolated, harsh environment, typical of many such facilities throughout the world. Emergency physicians frequently staff these medical facilities; however, most who are considering this have many misconceptions about the stations and about the scope of medical practice that exists there.<bold>Objective: </bold>This article illuminates how Antarctic medical practice is comparable with and dissimilar to other emergency medicine experiences and highlights information that any emergency physician-applicant to an isolated medical position should learn prior to accepting the position.<bold>Discussion: </bold>Antarctic medical care both parallels and differs from typical emergency medical practice in many ways, including the patient population, facilities, supplies, equipment, clinical duties (e.g., providing out- and inpatient medical and dental care, performing laboratory tests and imaging), and nonclinical duties (e.g., disaster planning, teaching, food service inspection, and public health officer). Climate-related limitations on medical evacuation epitomize the stations' isolation. Medical practice may be complicated by ethical issues common in other small isolated settings, such as a lack of privacy and confidentiality. Clinicians considering an isolated practice opportunity should ask basic questions to learn as much detailed information as possible prior to taking the positions.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Medical practice at U.S. Antarctic stations, as at many remote health care facilities throughout the world, has similarities to standard emergency medical practice. Even so, significant differences result in a steep learning curve. Any clinicians considering practicing in these locations should carefully evaluate the practice and the environment in advance of any deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07364679
- Volume :
- 56
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Emergency Medicine (0736-4679)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 136088413
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.01.009