Military medicine
-
Artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered significant attention for its pivotal role in the national security and health care sectors. However, its utilization in military medicine remains relatively unexplored despite its immense potential. AI operates through evolving algorithms that process extensive datasets, continuously improving accuracy and emulating human learning processes. ⋯ The article also advocates for a forward-thinking approach for the U. S. Military to effectively leverage AI in advancing military health and overall operational readiness.
-
The unique jobs, exposures, and deployments in the military generate questions regarding cancer risks; however, incidence rates alone from retrospective observational studies provide limited information. Incorporating screening rates, staging, and mortality rates allows a more comprehensive perspective regarding cancer risk in the military.
-
Injuries are the leading cause of medical encounters with over 2 million medical encounters for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and over 700,000 acute injuries per year. Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) are by far the leading health and readiness problem of the U.S. Military. The Proceedings of the International Collaborative Effort on Injury Statistics published a list of 12 data elements deemed necessary for injury prevention in the civilian population; however, there are no standardized list of common data elements (CDEs) across the DoD specifically designed to study MSKIs in the Military Health System (MHS). This study aims to address this gap in knowledge by defining CDEs across the DoD for MSKIs, establishing a CDE dictionary, and compiling other necessary information to quantify MSKI disease burden in the MHS. ⋯ This article identifies core data elements needed to understand and prevent MSKIs and where these data elements can be found. These elements should inform researchers and result in evidence-informed policy decisions supporting SM health to optimize military force readiness.
-
In expeditionary environments, the consistent availability of blood for casualty care is imperative yet challenging. Responding to evidence and the specific needs of its expeditionary context, the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) prioritized supplying stored low titer O whole blood (LTOWB) to its units from March, 2023 onward. A strategy was devised to set minimal LTOWB on-hand supply benchmarks, determined by the number of operating beds and point of injury teams. ⋯ As a countermove, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) enhanced LTOWB production at a conversion rate 2:1 from packed red blood cell to LTOWB. Consequently, there was a decline in expired blood products, and fulfillment rates for blood requests are projected to reach 100% consistently. This paper delves into the intricacies of the expeditionary blood supply, the rationale behind the LTOWB transition, the devised allocation strategy, and the subsequent impacts of this change.
-
The purpose of this study was to conduct a general educational needs assessment to identify deficiencies in current Army pharmacy education while projecting future educational requirements based on changes in pharmacy practice and evolving demands of military medicine. ⋯ With modernized, relevant KSAs, the Army can measure and train a ready pharmacy force. Individual Critical Tasks augmented with KSAs are one potential approach we recommend as a strategy to improve Army pharmacist health profession education.