Citation

Cameron PA, Gabbe B. Injury 2023; 54(7): e110786.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2023.05.017

PMID

37295845

Abstract

Civilian trauma systems have focused primarily on improving survival and interventions to mitigate the physical effects of an acute injury. This was appropriate as the trauma profile was predominantly road traffic crashes, interpersonal violence and work-related injury, which largely impacted the young and previously healthy, and where timely, quality trauma care was paramount in reducing preventable deaths. Improved pre-hospital care and trauma system maturation have reduced early preventable deaths. Higher survival rates and a change in the profile of trauma patients towards older patients with complex needs has shifted trauma system priorities. People with serious injury now have vastly different needs to trauma patients of the last century. Trauma systems that are not person-centred and do not account for complex patient needs, are no longer fit for purpose. The military paradigm that is now more than 50 years old should be reframed.

Language: en