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Biomedical subjects

V M Voge

Publications and source records attributed to V M Voge.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Women in combat: concerns of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army rated male and female aircrew.

The issue of women flying military aircraft in a combat role has been very controversial. We conducted a comprehensive survey, via anonymous questionnaire, of all U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force rated female aircrew, with an equal number of age- and duty-matched male aircrew. Here we report on the women in combat section of the questionnaire: should women be allowed to fly aircraft on combat missions? if allowed to do so, should they have the option of doing so? The great majority of women (87%) felt that they should be allowed to fly aircraft on combat missions, whereas only 41% of the men agreed. If women were allowed to fly in combat, both genders felt that women should be forced to do so on an equal basis with the men. Major concerns were that there be no quotas, that combat slots be opened to the best qualified, and prisoner-of-war concerns. Many women opined that they should not be forced to go into combat because they believe men are not forced to do so. There seemed to be a great deal of animosity between men and women concerning women flying in combat.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

Interpersonal relationship and prisoner of war concerns of rated military male and female aircrew.

BACKGROUND: The issue of women flying military aircraft in a combat role has been very controversial. HYPOTHESIS: To succeed, female military aircrew are very similar to their male peers. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive anonymous questionnaire survey of all U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force rated female aircrew, with an equal number of age and duty matched male aircrew. We are reporting on the interpersonal relationship and prisoner of war (P.O.W.) responses here. RESULTS: Male and female aircrew respond in a similar manner to posed questions, although differences do exist. Women reported: unequal treatment by opposite gender peers; problems relating to peers, superiors and subordinates; their gender influences assignments; the need to perform to higher standards and the need to work harder to be accepted as equals; ability to bond equally to their own and opposite gender peers; improved squadron cohesiveness in mixed gender squadrons; problems with peers' spouses; and, in a P.O.W. situation, fear of rape and sexual abuse. Men reported: women get inappropriate privileges and get special "breaks"; a gender difference in how flight duties are performed; worsened squadron cohesiveness in mixed gender squadrons; less likeliness to recommend their career path to their daughters; and a higher concern for welfare of families in a P.O.W. situation. CONCLUSIONS: Although responding in a similar manner to most questions, male and female military aircrew differ in the perception of their ability to function in mixed squadrons because of their gender. Some of these perceptions can be modified through training, others may need to be resolved through high level orders/policy; while in others, the military may have to accept women are different from men in some aspects.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Secondary arterial hypertension linked to Freon exposure.

Freons are generally considered to be minimally toxic. There are no reports in the literature of Freons causing secondary arterial hypertension. We report two cases of acute, massive Freon exposure that preceded secondary arterial hypertension. We hypothesize that the arterial hypertension was precipitated by renal proximal tubular damage, although several other mechanisms are possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A survey of centrifuge subjects assessing the relationship between repeated +Gz exposures and chronic back pain.

Research using human centrifuges has been done for many years. Long-term follow-up of such subjects has not been carried out previously. To evaluate whether there is an increased incidence of back problems in former centrifuge subjects, we did a retrospective questionnaire survey of 20 subjects with significant centrifuge exposure histories to moderate G levels at least 5 to 10 years ago, and two USAF active duty, age-matched control groups (former hypobaric subjects and naive subjects). The results revealed no increase in back pain or injury in the study group. The only significant indicators for back pain or injury in our study population are a history of tobacco use and increasing height. Moderate G exposures were not a predictor of subsequent back pain. We recommend a larger prospective study controlling for intensity, profile and duration of G exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Self-reported menstrual concerns of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army rated women aircrew.

A comprehensive anonymous questionnaire survey of all U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force rated female aircrew, with age- and duty-matched males, was conducted. This report addresses the menstrual concerns part of the questionnaire, which sought information from women on discomfort problems during the menstrual cycle and methods used for combating this discomfort. Five hundred sixty-seven women were surveyed. Only 9% of respondents admitted to having any menstrual complaints and, of these, only 17% attempted to take themselves off the flight schedule during the problem days. Even so, 41% of all women aircrew admitted to taking some form of medication for menstrual discomfort while on flight status. Most respondents to this section of the questionnaire were openly hostile, seemingly sensitive to sex-specific questions. This could be a safety-of-flight issue, in that menstrual symptoms could be a serious in-flight distraction to the female aircrew member.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1996

Chronic back disability: USAF officers at separation and exposure to +Gz.

This is the second of two studies done to determine whether moderate Gz exposure facilitates back disability. Cumulative trauma (repeated moderate to high G) exposures could be a precipitant of back pain in the military population. There is at present no reliable method of predicting who will suffer from back pain. We looked at officer back disability rates at separation from the Air Force (1972-1993). We compared non-rated Air Force officers to pilots and navigators exposed to low G and moderate to high G. We found no significant differences between aircrew and non-aircrew individuals until 1985, when the rates for aircrew fell below those of non-rated officers. Moderate G exposure does not seem to be a predictor of subsequent back disability. We recommend a larger prospective study of all rated and non-rated officers. We recommend that each separating officer undergo a detailed physical examination and answer a detailed back questionnaire.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1996

General characteristics of U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army rated male and female aircrew.

The issue of women flying military combat aircraft has been controversial. We conducted a comprehensive survey, via anonymous questionnaire, of all U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force rated female aircrew and an equal number of age- and duty-matched male aircrew. We are reporting on the general information section of the questionnaire here: age, time in the military, flight role, desire to remain in the military, marital status, number of children, spousal encouragement of career, type of aircraft flown, aircraft mishap and injury history, and reasons for extended period of illness/medical incapacitation to fly. Males' and females' responses in most areas surveyed were very similar. However, women were more than twice as likely to have been medically grounded for a period of more than 30 days. Not all the excess groundings were due to pregnancies. The responses to this section of the questionnaire indicate that female military officer aircrew are similar to their male counterparts. About 20% of married female aircrew do not postpone pregnancies in deference to their military careers.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Convulsive syncope in the aviation environment.

Syncope in the aviation environment can be a very difficult problem to assess. Even more difficult is the differential diagnosis between convulsive syncope and epilepsy after the first event. This paper discusses syncope in general and the differential diagnosis between vasovagal syncope and other forms of syncope. About 50% of all syncopal episodes cannot be identified as to etiology. However, a benign outcome for a single syncopal episode, non-cardiac in origin, is the norm. The diagnosis of syncope is discussed, emphasizing that a meticulous history from an observer or the patient, a good physical examination, and an ECG are the cornerstones of diagnosis. Other diagnostic venues are discussed. Convulsive syncope occurs in only about 12% of syncopal episodes, 65% of these being vasovagal in origin. The other 35% are due to a variety of causes. We found no good algorithm to differentiate convulsive syncope from epilepsy. We reviewed the literature to develop a differential diagnostic table, focusing on: age, awake status, position, emotional/physiologic stressors, onset, aura, appearance, injury on falling, seizure characteristics, automatism, length of unconsciousness and subsequent confusion, pulse characteristics, blood pressure, urinary incontinence, seizure duration, recovery time post-event, post-seizure sequelae, amnesia, posture vs. recovery, EEG characteristics, and the value of sophisticated diagnostic procedures.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1993

Hazardous materials incidents in military aircraft.

We evaluated 10 years of reported hazardous cargo incident information from the U.S. Air Force and Naval Safety Centers. In this first of two papers describing the hazardous cargo problems reported by the two services, we describe types of aircraft and types of hazardous cargo involved in incidents not causing aircraft mishaps. Normally, hazardous cargo must be manifested as such and no passengers are allowed on such flights. Unauthorized hazardous cargo was found on military aircraft carrying passengers. The most common problem was fuel spills or fumes. The most frequent cause of a hazardous cargo incident was improper manifest of same. Improvements are recommended for the incompatible or inconsistent hazardous cargo incident reporting systems, in order to improve prevention of hazardous cargo incidents.

Aircraft↗
PubMed1993

Physiological problems caused by transportation of hazardous cargo in military aircraft.

This is the second of two articles describing reported incidents involving hazardous cargo on U.S. military aircraft over a 10-year period. In this article, we describe the various physiological responses reported on the incident reports. These physiological incidents may have involved either the aircrew, the passengers, or both. We also list the substances that caused the problems. Physiological responses ranged from nausea and lightheadedness to loss of consciousness. We discuss why flights involving a physiological incident may not have been aborted. The present military hazardous cargo incident reporting system is deficient in that there appears to be no requirement for reporting whether passengers were on board the incident aircraft, or whether passengers or aircrew suffered physiological responses to various toxic substances.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1991

Sickle cell anemia trait in the military aircrew population: a report from the Military Aviation Safety Subcommittee of the Aviation Safety Committee, AsMA.

The question of whether sickle cell trait (SCT) is potentially dangerous to military aircrew personnel who have it and, consequently, whether such individuals should be allowed to fly in military aircraft is a very emotional issue. This article traces the evolution of how the U.S. military has dealt with the problem, and the present status of individuals with SCT in the U.S. military aviation community. Extensive studies and means for subjectively evaluating the problem were instituted by the Department of Defense in 1981, after making the decision not to restrict aircrew with the trait from aviation duties. All research projects and educational programs were abruptly stopped in 1985. Today, there are no actual restrictions on individuals with SCT for duty in the aviation and diving communities.

Aerospace Medicine↗
PubMed1991

Simulator sickness provoked by a human centrifuge.

Simulator sickness is now a well-recognized entity. It is recognized as a form of motion sickness, having a higher incidence in the more sophisticated simulators. Human centrifuges (dynamic simulators) are the newest innovation in aircrew training devices. Simulator sickness has never been reported in human centrifuges. We are reporting on a case of delayed simulator sickness in a pilot-subject after a centrifuge experience. A review of the "psycho-physiological" problems routinely experienced by subjects on human centrifuges indicates such problems are due to simulator sickness, although they are not reported as such. In this paper, we give a brief overview of simulator sickness and briefly discuss simulator sickness, as related to the human centrifuge experience.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Failing aviator syndrome: a case history.

The "human factor" has long been recognized as the cause, or the contributing cause, of most aircraft mishaps. Frequently, the mishap aviator may be overstressed emotionally to the point that he makes errors of judgment, either by omission or commission. Occasionally, an educated observer can recognize this "failing aviator" before the mishap. This paper discusses the characteristics of the failing aviator syndrome and presents the case history of one who should have been recognized before the mishap.

Accidents, Aviation↗