End-of-life care in the austere military environment

End-of-life care in the austere military environment
Military Medicine; by Jason David, Stevan Fairburn, Hayden Fogle, Nicholas Dulin, Russell Day; 9/25
Throughout the Global War on Terror (GWOT), the U.S. military built a revolutionary capacity to deliver life-saving care-even in austere environments-through rapid evacuation, far-forward providers and resources, and advances in prehospital and trauma-critical care. However, the operational reality of future Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO), as evidenced by wars in Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza, will be marked by high casualty rates and limited medical resources. [This review] ... explores how medical providers must shift from curative to comfort-focused care, often without formal palliative training, and how end-of-life care protocols must be integrated into doctrine, triage systems, and commander education. We offer pragmatic guidance on clinical decision-making, communication strategies with both medical and non-medical leaders, and the delivery of pain relief, emotional support, and dignity at the end of life-even in forward-deployed, under-resourced settings.