Definitive Field Care: The Modern Application of a Historical Strategy.

Abstract

Definitive Field Care (DFC) is a medical strategy required when evacuation is impossible due to tactical, environmental, or political constraints. Unlike Prolonged Field Care (PFC) or Prolonged Casualty Care (PCC), which assume eventual evacuation, DFC places full responsibility for definitive treatment on the initial provider. Historical examples, such as the Yugoslavian Partisans in World War II and Afghan resistance fighters during the Soviet invasion, highlight the necessity of DFC in austere, high-risk environments. Key considerations include operational constraints, risk tolerance, and provider mindset. Without evacuation, medical priorities shift, requiring difficult decisions. Providers must adapt to scarce resources, hostile conditions, and the absence of Geneva Convention protections. The mindset required demands resilience, adaptability, and acceptance of non-Western medical standards. As irregular warfare becomes more prevalent, formally recognizing, studying, and integrating DFC into military and humanitarian medical planning is essential. Training personnel for DFC will enhance operational effectiveness and improve survival rates in extreme conditions.