Biological Warfare and Medical Readiness Training: A Construct from the Literature

摘要

The survivability and function of military medical personnel is imperative to maintain good morale and fighting capability of combat troops. The fear of physical damage promotes a psychological response to the threat of biological war. This threat has the capacity to terrorize deployed medical personnel, reducing their effectiveness. Ignorance exacerbates this terror. The threat of biological warfare is high because it is a versatile weapon. Biological Warfare is highly threatening due to its ease of development and delivery. Biological weapons can be used with stealth and pose a great psychological and diplomatic threat. Biological warfare can be used as a precision weapon or for total destruction. The threat of deadly agents negatively affects performance. To effectively counteract the threat of biological weapons military medical personnel must receive focused training. On- going readiness training specifically geared toward the biological threat needs to be an integral part of medical readiness training. Knowledge is a powerful counteragent to the biological warfare threat. Training needs to encompass the affective, cognitive and psychomotor domains of learning. The ability of medics to function at a high pace without confusion under the threat of biological warfare positively impacts the performance of combat troops. Calm and competent caregivers will diminish the panic value of biological weapons and enhance combat effectiveness.