Articles: health.
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A challenge confronting health care is the national physician shortage, notably impacting the DoD's recruitment of military physicians. To address this, the Health Professions Scholarship Program is annually awarded to medical students to facilitate their transition into the U.S. Armed Forces. There is a glaring absence of military medical education in civilian schools to accommodate the unique interests of these students. While medical schools have adapted with interest groups and specialty tracks, the current presence of military medicine interest groups (MMIGs) and military medicine specialty tracks (MMSTs) remains under-explored. This study aimed to (1) update the prevalence of MMIGs in U.S. medical institutions, (2) identify the presence of MMSTs, and (3) compare military medicine involvement between allopathic and osteopathic programs. ⋯ This research underscores the need for comprehensive military medical training in medical schools to meet the interests and career aspirations of their students. Future studies should also evaluate the efficacy of MMIGs and MMSTs in preparing students for military medical roles.
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The fit of military clothing and equipment is essential for the health and safety of military operators. Given the aim of increasing the proportion of women and the known biological and morphological differences between male and female soldiers, an understanding of fit across different items of kit is needed. The aim of this study was to quantify subjective fit ratings of 8 items of military clothing and equipment, including combat shirt, combat pants, rucksack, small pack, tactical vest, fragmentation vest, helmet, and ballistic eyewear as a function of relative stature and occupational group among male and female Canadian Armed Forces members. ⋯ Military equipment fit has previously been shown to have implications for protection, performance, and mobility. The results of the investigation demonstrate different patterns of fit acceptability in male and female soldiers across items of clothing and equipment and may require different solutions.
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Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a stronger predictor of mortality than traditional risk factors and is a neglected vital sign of health. Enhanced fitness is a cornerstone in diabetes management and is most often delivered concurrently with pharmacological agents, which can have an opposing impact, as has been reported with metformin. Considering the rapid evolution of diabetes medications with improved cardiovascular outcomes, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, it is of importance to consider the influence of these vis-a-vis effects on CRF. ⋯ Since CRF is a superior prognosticator for cardiovascular outcomes and both medications can cause lean muscle mass loss, the current review highlights the paucity of relevant interactive analysis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of Hydrocolloid Dressing and Moisturizing Cream as Facial Skin Protectants Among Health Care Workers.
During the novel coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, health care workers experienced facial problems from prolonged use of N95 masks, including skin irritation, pigmentation changes, and contact dermatitis. We assessed the use of hydrocolloid dressing versus dimethicone cream to prevent skin breakdown among military health care workers while wearing an N95. ⋯ Using a skin protectant with an N95 may prevent adverse skin reactions while preserving health care workers' ability to safely and competently care for patients in routine and pandemic conditions.
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The long-term impact of deployment-related trauma on mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among military personnel is not well understood. We describe the mental and physical HRQoL among military personnel following deployment-related polytrauma after their discharge from the hospital and examine factors associated with HRQoL and longitudinal trends. ⋯ Overall, HRQoL increased during the 2-year follow-up period, driven by PCS improvement. Increasing HRQoL was associated with time since hospital discharge and limb amputation, whereas a downward trend in HRQoL was associated with spinal injury and post-discharge infection. The longitudinal decline in MCS, driven by TBI occurrence, time since hospital discharge, and developing post-discharge infections, emphasizes the importance of longitudinal mental health care in this population.