National Institute of Polar Research

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Collaborative Research

Study on health care and medical care system in extreme environments

Exploring the improvement of medical care in extreme environments of the Antarctic program

Principal Investigator Shinji OTANI and Satoshi IMURA

Collection of house dust at Syowa Station (upper image) and investigation of seasickness aboard Shirase with exhaust CO2 gas measurement. (lower image)

Study on measures and medical care system of Syowa

Expedition personnel conduct field surveys and logistics projects in harsh conditions in Antarctica. They endure large seasonal variations of the day–night rhythm, including polar nights and 10-month long physical isolation from society. It is not uncommon that expedition personnel experience abnormalities in their diurnal rhythm and experience physical and mental disorders and stress under these extreme conditions. Because of the relatively high incidence of dental disease seen during overwintering, medical doctors have initiated attempts to improve the oral hygiene of expedition personnel as a part of health management to prevent dental diseases. On the other hand, the medical care system of Syowa Station is quite poor, with a limited supply of materials delivered once a year, a medical staff comprising only two doctors, and no medevac available from March to November. This study aims at improving the medical care system of Syowa Station that will contribute to better health management of expedition personnel, by examining the current medical care system, and exploring ways to improve the health of expedition personnel.

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