Medical Prisoners of War: The Realities of Practicing Medicine in Captivity.
Abstract
American military forces are often deployed overseas on peacekeeping or humanitarian missions. The Gulf War demonstrated that international tensions may flare rapidly and United States military personnel could be involved in an armed conflict with little advance notice. As a consequence of their service in the Armed Forces, military physicians could be captured and interned as prisoners of war (POW), yet few consider this possibility. Lack of preparedness in the past has led to reduced survival rates among POWs. The medical prisoner who possesses a knowledge of military history will have a more realistic view of conditions and treatment to be expected while in captivity, and will be better prepared psychologically for his (or her) ordeal. These personnel should also be aware of their rights and legal responsibilities under the provisions of the Geneva accord. In previous wars the rights of captive physicians have been very different from the realities of their day-to day existence. Medical personnel, by virtue of their special status under the Geneva Conventions, are granted certain latitude regarding the Code of Conduct, especially as it pertains to (1) the duty of the POW to escape, and (2) communications with captors. This flexibility is contingent on the captors' compliance with the provisions of the Geneva Conventions. The captive physician must keep faith with other prisoners and trust that the U.S. will be making every effort to secure his early release.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA309630
Entities
People
- Matthew W. Raymond
Organizations
- United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine