We found this interesting article about Polar Medicine written by Laura Patterson and published on the BMJ Careers website on Christmas Eve 3 years ago.
Here is an excerpt from the article:
“Earlier this year I set off on an unusual week’s study leave to Alta in northern Norway, just inside the Arctic Circle. The course was designed to equip a medic with enough knowledge to safely lead an expedition in a polar environment. The course was based around outdoor activities and lectures, and culminated in a challenging rescue designed to use all the team skills. At the time I did wonder if the safety of the postgraduate centre would have been wiser, but I can recommend this fantastic week’s study leave.
What did the course involve?
The course is based over five days. Outdoor activities are organised to make maximum use of daylight hours. Our team’s first venture was skidoo travel. We set off on a 60 kilometre round trip, up onto the plateau with our local arctic adviser. We quickly mastered the skidoo, although I did manage to fall off several times. We also became experts on the workings under the bonnet, and I certainly now know more about the mechanics of a skidoo than my own car. I recall how quickly the weather changed as the sun disappeared when we travelled back down into the valley. My fingers became cold and painful and the biting wind, coupled with feeling tired, made concentration extremely difficult.”
To read the entire article, please visit the BMJ Careers website.
