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Assessing Baseline Proficiency of National Guard Combat Medics Due for Recertification: A Pilot Study
1Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA 99202, USA.
Military Medicine
|December 22, 2021
Summary
National Guard combat medics showed low success rates in critical bleeding control skills, with experience not predicting proficiency. Further research is needed to improve refresher training for these vital wartime skills.
Area of Science:
- Military Medicine
- Emergency Medical Services
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Combat medics (68W Healthcare Specialists) are crucial for battlefield survival.
- Sustainment of critical wartime skills, including bleeding control, is a growing concern.
- National Guard medics face unique challenges balancing military and civilian duties, impacting skill readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the preparedness of National Guard combat medics for critical combat care responsibilities.
- To evaluate the knowledge and practical skills of National Guard medics facing annual recertification.
- To identify factors influencing medic performance in bleeding control tasks.
Main Methods:
- Recruited nine National Guard medics due for annual recertification.
- Administered a questionnaire on experience and a quiz on Committee of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (CoTCCC) guidelines.
- Assessed practical skills in tourniquet application and hemostatic wound packing.
Main Results:
- Medics answered an average of 2.2 quiz questions correctly.
- Tourniquet application success rate was 44.4%; wound packing success rate was 22.2%.
- Neither prior experience nor practice frequency predicted success in these skills.
Conclusions:
- Soldier experience alone does not predict proficiency in bleeding control or casualty care knowledge.
- Current recertification and refresher training may be insufficient for National Guard combat medics.
- Further research is essential to address identified training gaps and improve combat readiness.
