AMA President, A/Prof Brian Owler, today congratulated the Government on its $5 million commitment to undertake studies into the mental, physical, and social health of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel who served in contemporary conflicts.
The Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme will fund three studies:
- The Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study – a mental health and wellbeing transition study that will target both serving and ex-serving personnel to determine their mental, physical and social health status;
- The Impact of Combat Study, which will follow up those who were recently deployed in the Middle East between 2010 and 2012; and
- The Family and Wellbeing Study, which will investigate the impact of military service on the health and wellbeing of the families of serving and ex-serving personnel.
A/Prof Owler said the studies are recognition of the specific health impacts on Australian ADF personnel while serving in modern combat situations.
“The health of serving ADF personnel and veterans was a key focus at the AMA National Conference last month,” A/Prof Owler said.
“The Conference called on the Government to conduct more research to monitor the health of ADF personnel and veterans injured during ADF operations.
“Since 1999, over 45,000 Australians have seen operational service overseas.
“During 2012-13, the ADF was involved in 15 overseas operations in regions and countries such as the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Sudan, as well as those closer to home including East Timor, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Fiji.”
According to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade report on the inquiry into the care of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel wounded and injured on military operations, 20 per cent of the veterans of recent conflicts could be susceptible to post-traumatic stress disorder, and as many as 50 per cent of servicemen or women can expect to have some form of mental health issue at some point in their life.
The same inquiry identified the physical injuries sustained by ADF personnel in combat operations such as Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, which included:
- amputations;
- fractures;
- gunshot wounds;
- hearing loss;
- lacerations/contusions;
- concussion/traumatic brain injury;
- penetrating fragments; and
- multiple severe injuries.
“We must do everything we can to support those who return with service-related injuries,” A/Prof Owler said.
“The research to be funded by the Government is important because it will allow us to identify emerging health issues and better inform the future delivery of health services.
“The AMA is also pleased that, from 1 July 2014, a new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item will be introduced for General Practitioners who use a screening tool in a health assessment for former ADF members.
“The new item will be available for former ADF members, including regular and reserve forces, for up to five years after being discharged.
“ADF members are often reluctant to disclose their injuries while serving, and some veterans keep them hidden for many years, which can often make their condition much worse.
“This new health assessment item was proposed by the AMA to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs several years ago as an important initiative to encourage veterans to come forward and access treatment earlier,” A/Prof Owler said.