Research Paper Title

Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training, Knowledge, and Utilization in the US Army.

Background

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) is the execution of prehospital trauma skills in the combat environment. TCCC was recognised by the 2018 Department of Defence Instruction on Medical Readiness Training as a critical wartime task. This study examines the training, understanding, and utilisation of TCCC principles and guidelines among US Army medical providers and examines provider confidence of medics in performing TCCC skills.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey, developed by members of the Committee on TCCC, was distributed to all US Army Physicians and Physician Assistants via anonymous electronic communication.

Results

A total of 613 completed surveys were included in the analyses. Logistic regression analyses were conducted on: TCCC test score of 80% or higher, confidence with medic utilisation of TCCC, and medic utilisation of ketamine in accordance with TCCC.

Conclusions

60% of respondents expressed confidence in the ability of the medics to perform all TCCC skills. Supervising providers who that believed 80 to 100% of their medics had completed TCCC training had more confidence in their medic’s TCCC abilities. With TCCC, a recognised lifesaver on the battlefield, continued training and utilisation of TCCC concepts are paramount for deploying personnel.

Reference

Gurney, J.M., Stern, C.A., Kotwal, R.S., Cunningham, C.W., Burelison, D.R., Gross, K.R., Montgomery, H.R., Whitt, E.H., Murray, C.K., Stockinger, Z.T., Butler, F.K. & Shackelford, S.A. (2020) Tactical Combat Casualty Care Training, Knowledge, and Utilization in the US Army. Military Medicine. 185(Suppl 1), pp.500-507. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usz303.