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Review
. 2021 Nov 1;274(5):e460-e464.
doi: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000003635.

Reciprocal Learning Between Military and Civilian Surgeons: Past and Future Paths for Medical Innovation

Divyansh Agarwal  1   2 , Clyde F Barker  2 , Ali Naji  2 , C William Schwab  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Reciprocal Learning Between Military and Civilian Surgeons: Past and Future Paths for Medical Innovation

Divyansh Agarwal et al. Ann Surg. .

Abstract

Numerous surgical advances have resulted from exchanges between military and civilian surgeons. As part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine Michael E. DeBakey Fellowship in the History of Medicine, we conducted archival research to shed light on the lessons that civilian surgery has learned from the military system and vice-versa. Several historical case studies highlight the need for immersive programs where surgeons from the military and civilian sectors can gain exposure to the techniques, expertise, and institutional knowledge the other domain provides. Our findings demonstrate the benefits and promise of structured programs to promote reciprocal learning between military and civilian surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The original 3-phase damage control proposed by the surgical team at the University of Pennsylvania. The surgeons advocated for a systematic approach designed to disrupt the lethal cascade of events leading to the death by exsanguination. Source: Rotondo MF, and Zonies DH. The damage control sequence and underlying logic. Surgical Clinics of North America, 1997.
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