Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps
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To investigate the impact of Army life on soldiers' motivation for stopping smoking. ⋯ Whilst the numerous, previously identified barriers to stopping smoking exist within and outside the armed forces, specific additional barriers arise from the structure and culture of the Army. Changes in the structure of daily life within the Army may reduce the barriers to stop smoking. Army clinicians also play an important part in soldiers' stopping smoking and an increased understanding of the specific barriers to stopping smoking may help them to support soldiers more effectively.
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A conceptual three-level framework is presented for understanding the aims, scope and potential outcomes of simulation in healthcare contexts. At the first level, micro-simulation aims at honing basic technical skills of individual clinicians. ⋯ At the third level, macro-simulation aims toassess organisational fitness fo r purpose at large scale. We discuss HOSPEX as an exemplar macro-simulation and argue for needs- and evidence-based implementation of simulation-based training at micro, meso and macro levels.
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Creating opportunities for pre-hospital emergency care Army medical staff to maintain their clinical and medical management skills whilst in barracks has always been a challenge for Commanding Officers. In the past there have been informal relationships between some units and Ambulance Trusts; however, these have usually faltered and been seen as unsustainable. Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between 5 General Support Medical Regiment and the North West and Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trusts, using the Ministry of Defence/Department of Health Concordat as a backdrop, has hopefully created a more formal training relationship which will produce a sustainable collaboration to create training opportunities for both parties. This article highlights the training opportunities available, the factors to consider in planning MoUs and the benefits to be gained.
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Following in the footsteps of Victor Horsley, the 'father of British neurosurgery', Hugh Cairns continued the tradition ofgreat neurosurgeons associated with the Royal Army Medical Corps. He was a central figure in the acceptance of neurosurgery as a specialty in its own right in Britain, was instrumental in the foundation of Oxford University Medical School, and can legitimately claim to have significantly improved mortality figures in neurosurgical casualties in the Second World War. He was also the driving force in the acceptance of crash helmets for motorcyclists, which have substantially reduced the mortality rates of motorcyclists in those countries in which they have been introduced.