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Wilderness Medicine is a specialized field of medicine that involves the provision of health care in remote and challenging environments. This discipline is also known as outdoor medicine or expedition medicine. Wilderness medicine is not only about the treatment of patients in the wilderness, but also about the prevention of illness and injury in such settings.

Overview

Wilderness medicine is a rapidly evolving field that addresses the medical issues associated with adventure travel, remote tourism, disaster relief, and military operations in challenging environments. It is a multidisciplinary field that involves the application of traditional medical knowledge and skills in resource-limited settings.

History

The field of wilderness medicine has its roots in military medicine, which has long recognized the need for medical care in remote and austere environments. The modern field of wilderness medicine began to take shape in the late 20th century, with the establishment of organizations such as the Wilderness Medical Society and the publication of textbooks on the subject.

Scope

The scope of wilderness medicine is broad and includes not only the treatment of medical emergencies in the wilderness, but also the prevention of illness and injury. This includes understanding the effects of altitude, cold, heat, and water on the human body, as well as the management of animal bites, insect stings, and plant exposures.

Training

Training in wilderness medicine is available through a variety of sources, including medical schools, residency programs, and continuing education courses. Many programs offer certification in wilderness medicine, which typically involves a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on field training.

See also

• Expedition medicine
• Travel medicine
• Mountain medicine
• Dive medicine
• Survival skills
• First aid

References

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External links

• Wilderness Medical Society
• Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Journal

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