Considérations sur la préparation médico-psychologique des personnels de l’armée de l’Air

Abstract

The medical and psychological preparation of personnel in the armed forces is designed to facilitate the adaptation of an individual, with all their singularities, to an environment with specific constraints. In an idealized flight operation that has become real thanks to the implementation of more and more sophisticated tools, Air Force personnel must deal with the dangers inherent in an aeronautical environment. These specific constraints (the decrease of atmospheric pressure, constraints related to the aircraft, equipment and mission) justify an adaptation of the current medical-psychological training in the armed forces. This preparation is continuous throughout the different stages of an airman's career, both in terms of expertise and medical and psychological support, through a process carried out by different actors, which include the medical service of clinical psychology applied to aeronautics (SMPCAA). It aims to ensure both flight safety and the mental health of the flight crew. The medical-psychological assessment in aeronautics is based on military and international regulations. A qualified psychiatrist, having adequate knowledge and experience in aviation medecine, explores anamnesis and the behavioral, affective and cognitive fields to evaluate the airman's prognosis for adaptation. In addition to the medical history or current psychiatric disorders, the psychiatrist looks for a pathological or delusional personality, contraphobic, escapist, fragile or non-authentic motivation. An airman's mental fitness during their career is more nuanced than their initial mental health which does not take into consideration the necessary adaptation to the job. Medical and psychological support takes place in the continuity of the normal fitness assessment. SMPCAA coordinates this support, with the Air Force's clinical psychology unit (CPC’Air). This unit, which was initially created to carry out post-immediate medical-psychological interventions following serious traumatic events, also provides training, operational psychological support, and psychotherapy.