Military medicine
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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an advanced medical technology that is used to treat respiratory and heart failure. The U.S. military has used ECMO in the care of combat casualties during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as in the treatment of patients during the recent Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. However, few Military Health System personnel have training and experience in the use of ECMO therapy. To address this dearth of expertise, we developed and evaluated an accelerated ECMO course for military medical personnel. ⋯ An abbreviated 1-day lecture and hands-on task-trainer-based ECMO course resulted in a high rate of successful skill demonstration and improvement of physicians' and nurses' knowledge assessments and confidence levels, similar to our previous live-tissue training program. When compared to our previous studies, the addition of telemedicine and patient transportation to this study did not affect the duration or performance of procedures.
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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.