Military medicine
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Operative case volumes for military surgeons are reported to be significantly lower than civilian counterparts. Among the concern that this raises is an inability of military surgeons to achieve mastery of their craft. ⋯ Obtaining mastery of general surgery is a nearly impossible proposition given the current care models at Army MTFs. Alternative staffing and patient care models should be developed if Army surgeons are to be masters at their craft.
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The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members has been much higher than in the U.S. general population. The association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use has not been well studied. We investigated the association between deployment and smokeless tobacco use among U.S. active duty service members. We also evaluated the modification effects from other factors related to smokeless tobacco use on the deployment-smokeless tobacco use association. ⋯ Military deployment was associated with smokeless tobacco use among active service members. However, the influence of military deployment on smokeless tobacco use was not equally strong on all service members. Subjects who never smoked cigarettes, who had no family history of use and who had low perception of harm were the most susceptible subgroups to deployment-related smokeless tobacco use. This study has implications to identify high-risk subgroups to reduce smokeless tobacco use in the U.S. military.
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We developed simulator-based tools for assessing provider competence in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and vascular duplex scanning. ⋯ Skill in acquiring diagnostic ultrasound images of organs and vessels can be measured using simulation in an objective, quantitative, and standardized manner. Current applications are provision of feedback to learners to enable training without direct faculty oversight and formative assessment of curricula. Simulator-based metrics could also be applied for summative assessment.
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In a study with 76 anesthesia providers on a mixed reality simulator, central venous access via the supraclavicular approach to the subclavian vein, without ultrasonography required less attempts compared to the infraclavicular approach. Participants had shorter times to venous access and larger improvements in confidence. ⋯ The use of ultrasonography during the supraclavicular approach to the subclavian vein is also described which may improve its safety profile. This technique could be more appropriate in scenarios when central venous access is preferred over intraosseous access for patients being transported to another location for further care.