Readiness in Deployed Field Hospitals: Identifying Clinical Sustainment Gaps

The FH plays a vital role in providing complex care in deployed settings, and its importance will only increase in the event of large-scale combat operations. Low case volume for surgeons stateside is mitigated through military-civilian partnerships and off-duty employment, opportunities not well facilitated for enlisted personnel. Addressing these gaps in clinical experience through increased clinical opportunities for enlisted personnel is crucial to ensure optimal performance and the delivery of life-saving care in the deployed setting.