NCJ Number
56139
Date Published
1978
Length
17 pages
Annotation
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, THE OPERATION OF HOSPITALS, TYPES OF INJURIES TREATED, CHILDREN'S HEALTH, PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS, AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR MEDICAL STAFF ARE CONSIDERED FOR NORTHERN IRELAND.
Abstract
THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IN TREATING CASUALTIES IN ULSTER RESULTING FROM CIVIL DESTURBANCES AND THOSE IN OTHER WAR ZONES IS THE RAPID EVACUATION TO FULLY STAFFED AND EQUIPPED HOSPITALS. THIS IS DUE TO THE CONCENTRATION OF VIOLENCE IN SMALL PROVINCES AND THE EXCELLENT PREPARATION OF THE HOSPITALS. INJURIES ATTRIBUTED TO THE VIOLENT ACTS OF THE CIVIL DISTURBANCE ARE LISTED, DESCRIBED, AND THEIR GENERAL CAUSES INDICATED. SEVERE INFECTION OF WOUNDS, A MAJOR PROBLEM IN WARS FOUGHT IN THE FIELD, IS RELATIVELY RARE IN ULSTER. WHILE EVIDENCE OF ANXIETY AND THE USE OF TRANQUILIZERS HAVE INCREASED, THE INCIDENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE HAS DROPPED, A STATISTIC CHARACTERISTIC OF SOCIETIES INVOLVED IN WAR ACTIVITIES. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THIS IS DUE LARGELY TO THE MORE UNINHIBITED ACCEPTANCE AND EXPRESSION OF AGGRESSIVE FEELINGS. WHILE CHILDREN AND YOUTHS SHOW A GREAT DEAL OF RESILIENCY IN HANDLING THE STRESS OF CIVIL DISORDER, THEY ARE BEING CONDITIONED TO ADOPT VIOLENCE AS A MEANS OF REACTING TO FRUSTRATION AND DEALING WITH PROBLEMS. THIS IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO SERIOUS PROBLEMS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR SHOULD POLITICAL NORMALIZATION OCCUR. CERTAIN ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE CONFRONTED MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN ULSTER: THE RENDERING OF PSYCHIATRIC OPINIONS THAT CAN DETERMINE HOW THE AUTHORITIES HANDLE A POLITICAL DISSENTER; ARMED SECURITY FORCES GUARDING PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL TO PREVENT ESCAPE, THUS COMPROMISING THE NEUTRALITY OF THE HOSPITAL; AND CONFLICT BETWEEN THE SECRECY REQUIREMENTS OF THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH AND THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT MEDICAL PERSONNEL REPORT ANY SERIOUS CRIME OF WHICH THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE. (RCB)