MMS Sends Journals to Physicians in Iraq

Operation Iraqi Freedom has pulled a record number of reservist physicians, nurses, and medical support teams from clinics and hospitals from around the nation. Faced with native diseases, continued attacks and accidents, the need for skilled doctors continues to be great in Iraq.

During the height of the war, it was not uncommon for an 11-member physician team in the Iraqi theatre to treat 1,200 to 1,400 soldiers, civilian contractors, Iraqis working for the Army, and often Iraqi children over the course of a 75-day rotation.

Some doctors who have served in Iraq say their tour of duty took a real toll on their medical practices. Poor facilities, armed resistance, and hostility from Iraqi citizens added emotional and physical stress. In addition to delivering daily acute care, the more than 300 U.S. doctors serving in Iraq today also have a long-term mission to begin reestablishing the Iraqi health care system and re-integrating the Iraqi medical community with their counterparts in America and throughout the world.

These demands are made even more daunting by the fact that American physicians and medical personnel are working in relative isolation in Iraq. Fast, easy access to basic medical research information, as well as developments regarding the best practices in clinical care, is difficult to come by.

In early January, the New England Journal of Medicine began shipping 20 free, weekly hard copies of the publication to physicians at the 28th Combat Support Hospital in Iraq. Each copy also included a special license that provides free online access to all the Journal's online archives and services. Free online access to the Journal's archives is already available in Iraq and 119 other low-income nations.

In addition, through relief agencies, the MMS Publishing Division recently sent back issues from 2003 and beyond of all its publications (The Journal, Journal Watch, and others) to further support medical personnel in Iraq.

The Journal and other MMS publications will continue to provide medical information to medical personnel in Iraq as requested.

- Kent Anderson