MEDICAL LESSON 1: Priorities Introduction to course The Medical department onboard a starship is charged with providing health care to the ship's company and all attached personnel. The extended nature of many starship voyages as well as the hazardous nature of Starfleet duty can make this a considerable challenge. Additionally, the diverse range of lifeforms both in Starfleet as well as on various destination planets dramatically increases the scope of the task. Chain of Command Because of the "realities" of interstellar travel, Starfleet Captains are given quite a bit of autonomy to act as they see fit in the interests of the Federation, and of course their First Officers are the second in command. Sometimes there is also a second officer on a ship and so on. After that, however, things on a starship tend to get a little vague. Each Department Head has total control over his or her department, answering only to the Captain and First Officer. (and of course higher-ups in Starfleet Command) This also is true of things PERTAINING to their departments. (i.e.: the Chief of Security can give commands to the CMO, IN MATTERS OF SECURITY, regardless of rank.) They are still of course subject to the commands of the CO and FO. The exception to this is Medical and Counseling. In things pertaining to their own departments, they have the right to over-ride the decisions of the CO or FO, or EVEN Starfleet Command (except Starfleet Medical). This means that you could, for example, refuse to allow someone to join an away team due to medical reasons. You could put someone in isolation. Quarantine your ship, or even an entire planet. You can relieve someone of duty temporarily (even the Captain or FO!) Just make sure you can show proof of something wrong, or you may be relieved of duty PERMANENTLY! It should be note here that Counselors and Medical Researchers are considered part of the Medical Department and are both answerable to the CMO. Interaction with other Departments Medical will out of necessity work closely with the Science Department, especially on a starship or starbase. It will sometimes be necessary to share lab space and even personnel as there is some some equipment that is so specialized there are relatively few people to operate it and after all, space is limited. Quite often the crewmembers in these departments are cross trained. Also, approximately 40% of all crewmembers should be cross- trained for various secondary medical functions in case of emergency. If they aren't already, you need to train them. This usually includes all of Security. 4.) Responsibility. One of the hardest things to remember as a Starfleet Medical Officer (and one of the things that give you the greatest role-playing opportunities) is the idea of to whom or what you are ultimately responsible. We will be covering this more in a later lesson, but for now, bear in mind, you have sworn an oath to uphold the rules and regulations of who...? Starfleet. INCLUDING the Prime Directive. BACK LESSON 2: Philosophies The Prime Directive vs. Hippocrates Most of you took some kind of oath when you entered the Medical profession to the effect that you would "do no harm", or "relieve suffering" or SOMETHING along the lines of promising that you would take care of EVERYONE, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, etc. However, you ALSO took an oath when you joined Starfleet. You may or may not have ever been a member of another planets defense, but not now. You may or may not feel allegiance to some world or other. But you swore to uphold the rules and regulations of the Federation, including the Prime Directive. This would of course seem obvious, but the reason it bears repeating is that "the Prime Directive mandates that Starfleet personnel and spacecraft are prohibited from interfering in the normal development of any society, and that any Starfleet vessel or crew member is expendable to prevent violation of this rule." This means (according to regs) that you may not be able to "relieve suffering", or may even be required to "do harm", if it is deemed necessary (usually by the Captain) to enforce the Prime Directive. So what do you do? Either way you go, you break an oath. That's up to you. It's one of the perks of being in Starfleet medical: built-in sub-plots. What if you're on a ship involved in battle? If the aliens board, and show up in Sickbay, what do you do? Do you kill them? Wound them? Cure them? Hold them prisoner or turn them loose? It's up to you. Maybe you're a real military type, who has no problem. It's all clear cut to you. Or maybe you're a real pacifist, refusing to do any harm, no matter what the outcome. Maybe you're neither, and agonize about it every time the question comes up. (and believe me. It will.) What does your Captain think? Do you care? With just a little work, this can be the greatest role playing aid you as a medical officer can have. (It usually works on a more metaphysical level for Counselors, but it can still work.) Federation Protocols (IDIC) IDIC stands for the Vulcan phrase Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. As far as Starfleet Medical is concerned, this boils down to meaning that you must respect the wishes of any individual in regards to their cultures practices and beliefs. If they believe in ritual suicide, you can't stop them. If it is against their religious beliefs to touch a dead body, don't make them touch it (or don't YOU touch it if it's theirs). NOW, this is NOT to say that you need to let them put others in danger (i.e. let them run around the ship shooting people because their Grand High Poobah has decreed that your entire crew must die.) Sometimes it can be a fine line, though. (It sort of ties in with the previous section.) Lifespans The following is a list of what is considered "middle-age" for some of the most prevalent species found in "Trek" Double these ages to find "normal" retirement age. Humans: 50 Andorians: 85 Betazoids: 60 Caitians: 45 Edoans: 75 Klingon: 40 *Human Fusion: 45 *Romulan Fusion: 60 Romulans: 80 Tellarites: 50 Vulcans: 110 *Human Fusion: 80 At approximately 1/4 of this age, they are considered young adults. At approximately 1/2, they are considered full adults. At below 1/4 of this age, they are considered children. Quality of life In this day and age, (the late 24th century) with bio- genetic engineering, bionics, cloning, and a literal plethora of others sciences reaching the level they have, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to suffer from illness or disease EXCEPT to further a storyline! We will deal with this in more depth later, but for now, suffice it to say that most people are expected, barring accident, to live healthy, productive lives to past 100 years of age. The "normal retirement ages mentioned earlier are more because of cultural norms (they're old and deserve a rest) rather than physical necessity. BACK