Advancements and Evolution of Combat Casualty Care with DHA Trauma Medical Director Colonel Stacy Shackelford, MD, FACS

WarDocs - The Military Medicine Podcast

Prepare to be riveted as we journey through the invigorating world of Military Medicine, guided by the unique insights of Air Force Colonel Stacy Shackelford, MD, Trauma Surgeon, and the Defense Health Agency Trauma Medical Director. Our exploration starts with the Joint Trauma System, where Colonel Shackelford sheds light on how data from combat casualty care on the battlefield has been instrumental in enhancing evaluation and treatment strategies. Gain an understanding of Colonel Shackelford's first-hand experiences from her multiple deployments around the globe, her specialty in trauma surgery, and the achievements of the Joint Trauma System since 2005. Imagine the possibilities as we delve into the world of data-driven treatment advancements and their significant impact on the field.

This episode is not just about advancements but also evolution. We dive into the transformation of trauma care in the military, with Dr. Shackelford leading the discussion around the critical role of whole blood, component therapy, and medic training in improving casualty care. Hear her recount her time as the Joint Theater Trauma System Director in Afghanistan, where she proudly trained Air Force medical teams for deployment requirements. Get a glimpse of her first assignment at Shock Trauma in Baltimore and discover how it has shaped her career trajectory.

The advancements in Military Medicine over the past two decades are nothing short of remarkable. We recount the incredible story of one casualty who was saved using nearly every single medical advance made during this era. This narrative illustrates the power and importance of pre-hospital care, en-route care, the various Roles of care, and the Joint Trauma System. We delve into the challenges faced in bettering combat casualty care and the resistance encountered from those with different priorities. Don't miss the chance to hear about the unyielding efforts to make continuous improvements in this critical field of medicine.

This episode is a testament to the constant innovation in Military Medicine, the struggles, the triumphs, and the unforgettable human stories at its heart. So, buckle up, and get ready for a fascinating journey into the world of Military Medicine.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Joint Trauma System Development

(0:05:00) - Trauma Care in the Military Evolution

(0:18:36) - Advancements in Military Medicine

(0:26:14) - Military Medicine and Battlefield Experiences

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:00) - Joint Trauma System Development (5 Minutes)

Air Force Colonel Stacey Shackelford, MD, talks about the Joint Trauma System and how data from combat casualty care on the battlefield is used to guide improvements in evaluation and treatment strategies. We hear about Stacey's deployments around the globe, her specialty in trauma surgery, and the accomplishments of the Joint Trauma System since 2005. We also learn about the data-driven approach to improving care and how the JTTS was established under the National Defense Authorization Act.

(0:05:00) - Trauma Care in the Military Evolution (14 Minutes)

We explore the changes in trauma and how the military's use of whole blood, component therapy, and training of medics has vastly improved casualty care. Dr. Shackelford talks about her experience as the Joint Theater Trauma System Director in Afghanistan and her pride in training the Air Force medical teams to deploy. We also learn about her first assignment at Shock Trauma in Baltimore and the impact that has had on her career.

(0:18:36) - Advancements in Military Medicine (8 Minutes)

We discuss the amazing save of one casualty who was taken care of using nearly every advance in Military Medicine over the past two decades. We explore the importance of pre-hospital care, en route care, Roles of care, and the Joint Trauma System. We consider the impact of the military's use of whole blood, component therapy, and training of medics in vastly improving casualty care. We consider the coalition of people who are constantly thinking about how to make combat casualty care better and the resistance they face from those who prioritize other things.

(0:26:14) - Military Medicine and Battlefield Experiences (6 Minutes)

We examine the importance of the Joint Trauma System and how data from combat casualty care is used to guide improvements in Military Medicine. We also look at the changes in trauma medicine, the use of whole blood and component therapy, and the training of medics.

Take Home Messages:

1. The Joint Trauma System, where data from combat casualty care on the battlefield plays a critical role in enhancing evaluation and treatment strategies in Military Medicine.
2. Military Medicine is not just about advancements but also about the evolution of care. For example, the use of whole blood and component therapy has greatly improved casualty care.
3. First-hand experiences and deployments around the globe offer valuable insights into trauma surgery and the advancements in Military Medicine.
4. Continuous efforts are being made to improve the critical field of Military Medicine despite challenges and resistance encountered from those with different priorities.
5. The incredible story of one casualty who was saved by nearly every single medical advance made in the past two decades highlights the power and importance of pre-hospital care, en-route care, Role 2 care, and the Joint Trauma System.
6. The deployment experiences of the guest in Afghanistan as the Joint Theater Trauma System Director provided her with a sense of pride and achievement, particularly in training Air Force medical teams for deployment.
7. Trauma care in the military has significantly evolved over the years, with the implementation of whole blood, component therapy, and medic training.
8. Military Medicine is not just about treating casualties on the battlefield but also involves the collection and analysis of data to guide improvements in care and treatment strategies.
9. There is a strong need to expand the focus from trauma care to all of casualty care in Military Medicine.
10. Despite the challenges, the progress and remarkable advancements made in Military Medicine over the past two decades are a testament to the unyielding efforts of medical professionals in this field.

Episode Keywords:

Military Medicine, Joint Trauma System, Combat Casualty Care, Battlefield Medicine, Trauma Surgery, Data-Driven Care, Defense Health Agency, Whole Blood Therapy, Component Therapy, Medic Training, Joint Theater Trauma System, Pre-Hospital Care, En-Route Care, Combat Casualty, Air Force Medical Teams, Excelsior Surgical Society, Walking Blood Bank.

Hashtags:

#wardocs #military #medicine #podcast #MilMed #MedEd #MilitaryMedicine #TraumaCare #CombatCasualtyCare #JointTraumaSystem #AdvancementsInMedicine #BattlefieldMedicine #WholeBloodTherapy #MilitaryDeployments #MedicTraining

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