A different kind of medical professional

Christof Neuner, MD

Have you ever thought about what to do after finishing your degree? Do you want to be a doctor in a hospital and deal with the everyday life of all its surgeries and appointments? Do you know that there are different ways in which you can help people as a doctor without being in a hospital or clinic?

The truth is that, nowadays, people seek new challenges and opportunities in order to broaden their horizons and get away from the “normal life” everyone expects they will have. Just by watching the news, one can acknowledge how important and even essential it is to have medical professionals in the most diverse environments, whether it is in war zones or countries affected by natural disasters, among others.

However, to be able to give such specialized help to the ones in need, a doctor needs to acquire knowledge and experience in these specific scenarios, as they are very different from the reality one lives in a hospital. Therefore, it is important to not only be informed about the opportunities available but also to seek training in these specific areas.

All around the world, armed conflicts are constantly happening and lives are being taken away indiscriminately, at the same time that Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law are being violated.

Whether it is in Ukraine, Afghanistan or Syria, people are going through hard times and need the help of others to overcome this difficult and rather unfair situation.

in a lab without any distractions, there are no emotional and motivational major factors going on and they perform similarly to adults: they take approximately the same number of risks. However, when they are given some motivational context, such as a couple of friends standing behind them, there is an increase in risk behaviors adopted by adolescents.

But why are adolescents particularly susceptible to peer influence? Studies suggest that they might be hypersensitive to being socially excluded. This, when considered in the context of decision making, sheds risk taking in a more rational light.

People in groups behave differently than on their own, so, having someone else overseeing them changes their behavior on cognitive tasks. Professor’s lab research suggests that, in adolescence, social influence is particularly heightened.

The question is: do wars have laws? Yes, they do. The 1949 Geneva Conventions established the main treaties of Humanitarian Law after the devastating Human Rights violation during the Second World War. Although these

Conventions exist, unfortunately, these violations are still taking place in most war zones and having Non-governmental Organizations as well as trained people to help the ones in danger is crucial. This matter is of such importance because lots of people are affected by it, as Amnesty International estimates that around 89.2 million people were forcibly displaced by the end of 2021 due to conflict, violence, persecution and human rights violation.

Beyond helping the wounded with our medical knowledge, we, as medical students and future healthcare workers, can also have a positive impact in these scenarios by trying to empathize with them, understanding their problems and reporting war crimes that we witness.

At the AIMS Meeting 2023, we will have the pleasure to have an amazing lecture regarding this theme led by Doctor Cristof Neuner who took his medical degree in Freie Universität Berlin and had clinical training in general and trauma surgery. Dr. Neuner is now a Senior Consultant General and Trauma Surgery and Commander (on Reserve) of the German Navy Maritime Special Forces. By listening to his talking about his personal experience in this area, you will have a broader view about this theme and be more informed about it. And who knows, maybe you’ll be joining the Navy in the future! It is certainly a lecture you don’t want to miss!