Review into the treatment of women at the Australian Defence Force ...

• A proposal to conduct research to determine the relationship between running techniqueand the incidence of Chronic Exertional Leg Pain (currently awaiting ethics approval). Thisis pertinent in light of the injuries analysis which found that female undergraduates suffera higher number of gradual onset injuries than male undergraduates. 22Comparable residential settingsPart b) of the Recommendation required ADFA to promote health and wellbeing with reference to bestpractice in comparable residential settings. The documents provided to the Audit state that ADFA hasanalysed the RMC Physical Conditioning Optimisation Review and that amendments to the ADFAremedial training process and rehabilitation program reflect the findings of the RMC Review. 23 The Audithas been provided with examples to this effect. 24The Audit notes that ADFA has taken steps to apply successful methods from comparable settings,namely RMC Duntroon, and this is encouraged. However, the injury brief received from the RIT onlydiscusses RMC Duntroon as a comparable setting, 25 while other documents provided to the Audit referto other settings, such as RAAF Officer Training School and HMAS Creswell, which could be analysed.The Audit has not received any evidence that these other settings have been examined. 26StigmaThe Audit has been advised that the approach to eliminating stigma is threefold, involving the removalof physical signs of medical restrictions, 27 the education of undergraduates 28 and through the improvedrehabilitation program. 29 This represents a comprehensive approach to a pervasive problem.The removal of the physical signs, such as vests, track suits and sashes, 30 is an important step towardseliminating stigma. These articles of clothing create a further barrier between undergraduates onmedical restrictions and other undergraduates by making the difference more visible. The removal ofthese signs is supported by the Audit.The documents provided to the Audit indicate that stigma is also being addressed ‘through E&D,leadership, and Instructional Programs.’ 31 As noted in these documents, ‘the unacceptability ofstigmatising…has been emphasised’ during undergraduate training. 32 This approach is importantin supplementing the removal of physical signs, and in creating a lasting impact on the wayundergraduates view injured undergraduates. 33The Audit was advised by the RIT that:the Rehabilitation Training Program seems to be returning injured cadets faster to normalactivities. It is expected that less time on the sidelines and improvements to injury managementwill contribute to a reduction in the stigma associated with medical restrictions. 34The Audit encourages the continued use of data to ensure that these expectations and perceptions areevidence based.In respect of the improvements to injury management the Audit heard the following:I think one of the benefits of the management of it now is that those that aren’t on restrictions seethose on restrictions still working. So it’s not like they’re turning up to PT for example with theirchit and then just going away and walking on the treadmill watching TV for forty minutes. They’reactually doing a supervised activity under the PTI. That sort of management goes a long way ingetting rid of stigma in terms of, if you’re on a chit, you still won’t get an easy pass, you’ve stillAudit Report: Review into the Treatment of Women at the Australian Defence Force Academy • 2013 • 121