A roadmap for innovation

Abstract

Medicine has historically advanced during conflict, but military medical services have consistently regressed during peace. As over a decade of campaigning in Iraq and Afghanistan draws to a close, securing the legacy of hard won clinical lessons and retaining flexibility to adapt to new patterns of illness and injury during contingency is critical. Central to sustaining exceptional outcomes for future operations and to maintaining the current position of the Defence Medical Services as providers of clinical excellence is retaining the capability to innovate. This capability must extend across the spectrum of clinical innovation-concepts, guidelines, equipment (invention and adoption), curricula (design, assessment and refinement), research and Defence diplomacy. To achieve this requires a strategy, a 'roadmap', with a clear vision, end state and centres of gravity (core strengths that must be protected). The direction for innovation will be guided by emergent analysis of the future character of military medicine. Success will be determined by ensuring the conditions are met to protect and enhance the existing 'winning culture'.

Human factors in decision making in major trauma in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

“…A process of data collection, audit and service improvement has led to continual innovation and improvement. 25 DCR-DCS is now the standard of care for the severely injured patient, 1,26 and every step in the pathway from point of wounding to the evacuation back to the UK has been considered in detail to minimise the delays and optimise treatment. With the closure of the hospital, we feel it is important to capture the logistical and clinical changes that occurred during its lifetime.…”

Introducing ‘The Diverse Nature of Defence Healthcare’ university module for DMS personnel

“…Recent operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in medical innovations which have transformed trauma care 18. The DMS’ main effort has been to identify effective treatment for the immediate effects of blast injuries, which can cause exsanguination and death within the first few minutes if untreated.…”

The challenges of undertaking (qualitative) research on a military population

“…Innovations in research provide the evidence base that changes practice 1. The Surgeon General's Defence Medical Services Research Priorities lists a hierarchy of research to be completed over the next 20 years in order to enhance the operational capability of the British Armed Forces (T Hodgetts.…”