The origin, evolution, and future of prolonged field care in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

Abstract

LAY SUMMARY As a result of the unpredictable nature of warfare, military medics deployed on missions may be required to manage seriously ill or injured patients for longer than expected. Because this type of care is not typically the focus of a military medic’s training or mandate, core skills and knowledge gaps were, not surprisingly, identified. For this reason, specialized training was developed, and the term prolonged field care (PFC) was coined. PFC takes on concepts associated with traditional hospital care and translates them into austere military medical environments with limited resources, including supplies, equipment, and trained medical providers to manage critically ill or wounded patients. This training program helps medics maximize their ability to save lives and improve outcomes for those who are ill or injured. This article discusses how PFC originated both internationally and within the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and core concepts and applications for future operations.