Expedition and Wilderness Medicine

Guest post Dr Edi Albert – Associate Professor, Remote and Polar Medicine at the University of Tasmania. Director, Wilderness Education Group These two nearly synonymous terms refer broadly to the practice of medicine in austere and remote environments. The former term suggests a “journey with a purpose”, whether scientific, humanitarian, or recreational. The latter terms suggests an environment “undisturbed by human activity”. Either way, a pretty cool way to practice medicine. It is within this context that we can identify three broad aspects to expedition and wilderness medicine: pre-departure preparation and planning, care of expeditioners (and sometimes local inhabitants) whilst on their travels, and providing education and advice to others (often to those without health-care backgrounds). Thus, depending upon the types of environment visited, the modes of transport used, and the purpose of the trip, one may find significant overlaps with military medicine, aviation medicine, maritime medicine, travel and tropical medicine, and sports medicine and physiology. There is an emphasis on environmental medicine and physiology (yep, there’s the “P” word again…it crops up quite a lot I’m afraid!). This may include cold injuries, heat illness, high altitude illness, hyperbaric and diving medicine, and toxinology. There is an old saying that “if you can’t look after yourself, how can you look after others?” To that end it is extremely important to dev...
Source: Life in the Fast Lane - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: Medical Specialty Wilderness Medicine adventure adventure medicine Curriculum Dr Bill Lukin Dr Edi Albert Dr Julian Williams Dr Sean Rothwell remote Source Type: blogs