2025 NATO Special Operations Forces Medical Panel (SOFMedP) Position Statement on Care of the Dying Patient During Conflict

At the 2024 NATO Special Operations Forces Medical Panel, representatives from 20 NATO Allied and 2 Partner Nations identified care for the expectant (dying) patient during conflict as a significant gap in recognised international standards. Recognising the gap, a position statement on care of the dying patient during conflict was developed. This position statement details recommendations for addressing disparities in care of the dying patient spanning multiple domains including standardised terminology, research and development, clinical practice guidelines, legal clarity, training and respect for individuals. The potential for high numbers of casualties during large scale combat operations makes it even more critical that the international military medical community pre-emptively develop best practices in order to deliver ethical and compassionate care to dying patients during conflict while simultaneously mitigating the risk of moral injury among providers.