Advanced military medicine
From tackling infectious diseases in trenches to treating soldiers wounded in war, military medicine equips and trains medical units to respond swiftly to battlefield injuries and mass casualty events, minimising loss of life and enhancing operational effectiveness. As geopolitical tensions have risen, the field of military medicine and countries’ preparedness need boosting.
Latvia, for instance, is integrating military medicine into national healthcare. Rather than creating new military medics, the plan is to familiarise and train all medical students with essential military medical algorithms – covering triage, evacuation, and rapid decision-making – which are crucial in emergencies, like conflict or natural disaster. Meanwhile, Poland plans to build a new learning centre in Łódź to improve medical training for armed forces personnel and to modernise military medical capabilities, by setting up field hospitals and using mobile units. However, the progress is slow due to a lack of resources and medics. As natural and human-made crises become more frequent and complex, countries must be prepared to respond and provide necessary emergency care.
Military field medicine has evolved, beginning with ambulance corps and triage in the US Civil War; subsequent milestones included antiseptics and X-ray use, blood transfusions, and penicillin to reduce infections. The Korean War's MASH units brought life-saving surgeries closer to the front lines, while helicopter evacuations in Vietnam shortened the time to advanced care.
Modern techniques like damage control surgery, tourniquets, and hemostatic agents became standard in the 2000s, enhancing survival rates for critical injuries. Telemedicine, prolonged field care, TCCC guidelines, and portable diagnostics now enable advanced treatment even in remote or austere conditions, ensuring continued adaptability and lifesaving capabilities in combat.
The First World War was a turning point in medical history, as the extreme injuries caused by new weapons like machine guns, shells, and gas led to significant medical advancements. Since then, Europe’s military medical systems have become more resilient and adaptable, preparing to support a diverse range of missions effectively. Lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have shown the value of using mobile clinics and civil assistance in treating the injured.