Bridging the gaps in surgical education for the expeditionary surgeon: A position paper from the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee.

Abstract

Military surgical training ensures that surgeons are prepared to care for combat casualties, service members, and beneficiaries. As the wars of the first two decades of this century have concluded, proper preparation for the next generation of expeditionary surgeons has gained renewed attention. This spotlight, however, has revealed significant challenges that hinder the readiness of both resident and staff surgeons. To address the complexities in training future military surgeons, the 2024 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee convened a panel of military and civilian surgical leaders to consider opportunities to better train the next generation of military surgeons. Key discussion points included developing realistic simulation training, expanding military-civilian trauma partnerships, establishing an expeditionary military surgeon career path, supporting military surgery trauma training resources and research, establishing global surgery rotations, and increasing the focus on trauma and critical care in civilian training programs. Development and implementation of a military unique surgical curriculum that is recognized by surgical professional regulatory bodies may further improve the readiness of future expeditionary surgeons for combat environments.