• Frederike J C Haverkamp, Thijs T C F Van Dongen, EdwardsMichael J RMJRDepartment of Surgery, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands., Thomas Boel, Antti Pöyhönen, TanEdward C T HECTHDepartment of Surgery, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands; Defence Healthcare Organization, Ministry of Defence, 3584 AB Utrecht, Netherlands., and Rigo Hoencamp.
• Department of Surgery, Radboudumc, 6500 HB Nijmegen, Netherlands. Electronic address: Frederike.haverkamp@radboudumc.nl.
• Injury. 2024 May 1; 55 (5): 111320111320.

IntroductionAdequate (predeployment) training of the nowadays highly specialized Western military surgical teams is vital to ensure a broad range of surgical skills to treat combat casualties. This survey study aimed to assess the self-perceived preparedness, training needs, deployment experience, and post-deployment impact of surgical teams deployed with the Danish, Dutch, or Finnish Armed Forces. Study findings may facilitate a customized predeployment training.MethodsA questionnaire was distributed among Danish, Dutch, and Finnish military surgical teams deployed between January 2013 and December 2020 (N = 142). The primary endpoint of self-perceived preparedness ratings, and data on the training needs, deployment experiences, and post-deployment impacts were compared between professions and nations.ResultsThe respondents comprised 35 surgeons, 25 anesthesiologists, and 39 supporting staff members, with a response rate of 69.7 % (99/142). Self-perceived deployment preparedness was rated with a median of 4.0 (IQR 4.0-4.0; scale: 1 [very unprepared]-5 [more than sufficient]). No differences were found among professions and nations. Skills that surgeons rated below average (median <6.0; scale: 1 [low]-10 [high]) included tropical disease management and maxillofacial, neurological, gynecological, ophthalmic, and nerve repair surgery. The deployment caseload was most often reported as <1 case per week (41/99, 41.4 %). The need for professional psychological help was rated at a median of 1.0 (IQR 1.0-1.0; scale: 1 [not at all]-5 [very much]).ConclusionsMilitary surgical teams report overall adequate preparedness for deployment. Challenges remain for establishing broadly skilled teams because of a low deployment caseload and ongoing primary specializations. Additional training and exposure were indicated for several specialism-specific skill areas. The need for specific training should be addressed through customized predeployment programs.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

12 keywords...

hide…