When the world prepares to send people back to the moonWhen into deeper spacewe need to start thinking about how astronauts go stay healthy – because otherwise it might not be good.
At this time, in the event of a medical emergency in space, the best response is to evacuate the person to Earth.
But if you’re heading to Mars, it could be months before you get home.
what kind of doctor?
Dr John Cherry, an Australian Antarctic doctor, said, “I can’t think of anyone better suited than an Australian Antarctic doctor.
In Antarctica, medical evacuation can take two weeks in summer and nine months in winter.winter rescue Rare.
But according to Cherry, a space medicine researcher, Australian Antarctic Service (AAD) Antarctic Medical Practitioner, and Antarctic Fellow, the similarities between Antarctica and long-distance spaceflight are the time it takes to get home. And not only difficult. Australian Rural Telemedicine College.
“Antarctica is a well-established space-analog environment,” he says.
“It’s a small team operating in extreme environments with extreme temperatures, completely dependent on technology for survival, and altered circadian rhythms.”
Physical stressors and mental stressors are similar.
“One of the things we often hear from astronauts when they return from the space station is that they have chronic, constant, low-level stress from hearing alarms,” says Cherry.
“We are experiencing the same thing in Antarctica.
Read more about space medicine: What are the risks humans face in space?
Each of AAD’s four Antarctic Observatories has a doctor who resides there during the winter.cherry is Davis StationThe chief physician was last year.
“The doctor is in charge of all the team’s general medical, surgical, anesthesia and dental care.
“They also run all the pathology, or radiology. They keep the facility clean, they do the inventory.
This sounds like a lot, but doctors in Antarctica aren’t the only ones doing this. reflects the
“Rural generalists are trained GPs, but GPs are trained to work in rural and remote areas of Australia,” says Cherry.
“They have a number of skills that are ideally suited both to the Antarctic setting and to this long-duration spaceflight setting that must be jacks of all trades, so to speak.
“Doctors receive telemedicine support from our head office team, but are ultimately the only practitioners on site.”
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Telemedicine is an important part of this model. He has one person looking after you directly, both in Antarctica and in remote Australia, but they have many contacts with experts who can help.
This is especially important for common issues, such as dentistry, where doctors are usually less involved.
“I think I took one lecture on dentistry in medical school,” says Cherry.
“Dental problems are some of the most common problems expeditions experience in the South, and they are also some of the most debilitating problems – anyone who has ever experienced a toothache. But you know how painful it is.
“Waiting nine months to go home and have it fixed is not an option.”
AAD provides doctors with two weeks of dental training before heading south. This means they are knowledgeable enough to temporarily manage dental problems. The same is true for other specialties.
For long-distance spaceflight, this model will need to be adjusted slightly. For example, a message from Mars can take 5-20 minutes to return to Earth.
We have experts on the phone, but what if your job requires an extra hand? AAD also has a solution for this. Other expeditionary forces trained to assist physicians, called “general surgical assistants.”
“During my winter, my general surgery team consisted of carpenters, boiler makers, chefs and electronic technicians,” says Cherry.
“They are not playing the role of doctors, but they are there to support doctors in the event of a medical emergency.”
“This is also a very good model for long-duration spaceflights.”
clock: Meet the Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Division
Cherry says Australia’s experience with local doctors makes it a good country to provide medical care in Antarctica.
“Our medical capabilities within the Antarctic environment are truly unmatched by any other Antarctic nation,” he says.
“As a country, I think we are uniquely positioned to contribute to long-term spaceflight by providing the international community with such skills for doctors.”
