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Aviation and surgery are both high-stakes, complex fields that require precision, teamwork, and effective communication to ensure safety and optimal outcomes. The aviation industry has long been recognized as a model for safety and reliability, with a focus on standardized protocols, rigorous training, and a culture of continuous improvement. In recent years, there has been growing interest in applying the principles and practices of high reliability organizations (HROs), such as those found in aviation, to the field of surgery.
Dr. McCormick has the unique experience of flying Fighter Jets in the US Navy and Marine Corp, including working with and learning from the nation’s elite fighter pilots. He has taken those extremely valuable “Lesson’s learned” as in now applying them to his surgical practice. For over a decade now, Dr. McCormick’s practice has utilized the key principles of aviation and HROs and applies them to yield improved surgical safety and outcomes.
In the event of an injury, the military employs a rapid response system to provide immediate care and stabilize the injured service member. This includes:
– Battlefield first aid provided by fellow service members trained in basic life support
– Rapid evacuation to forward medical facilities for triage and initial treatment
– Prioritization of injuries based on severity and likelihood of survival
– Coordination of transport to higher levels of care as needed
This immediate response system ensures that injured personnel receive prompt attention and that limited medical resources are allocated efficiently. The civilian workers compensation system can learn from this by emphasizing early intervention, triage, and appropriate routing of injured workers to the right level of care.
Once stabilized, injured service members undergo a thorough evaluation to diagnose the extent of their injuries and develop an individualized treatment plan. This includes:
– Detailed history and physical examination
– Imaging studies (x-rays, CT scans, MRI) as indicated
– Laboratory tests to assess for infection, organ dysfunction, etc.
– Specialty consultations (orthopedics, neurology, etc.) as needed
– Psychological evaluation to screen for traumatic brain injury, PTSD, etc.
The military recognizes the importance of a comprehensive diagnostic workup in guiding treatment decisions and optimizing outcomes. Workers compensation systems can benefit from a similar emphasis on thorough initial evaluation to ensure that all aspects of an injury are identified and addressed.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams
The military employs a multidisciplinary approach to injury management, bringing together specialists from various fields to provide coordinated care. Typical members of a treatment team may include:
– Trauma surgeons
– Orthopedic surgeons
– Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians
– Physical and occupational therapists
– Behavioral health professionals
– Case managers
– Vocational rehabilitation specialists
This team-based model ensures that all aspects of an injured service member’s care are addressed in an integrated fashion. Regular team meetings allow for sharing of information, joint treatment planning, and monitoring of progress. The workers compensation system can adopt a similar multidisciplinary team approach to provide comprehensive, coordinated care for injured workers.
The military places a strong emphasis on early and aggressive rehabilitation to help injured service members regain maximum function. Key components include:
– Early mobilization and range of motion exercises
– Progressive strengthening and conditioning
– Task-specific training to simulate work duties
– Adaptive equipment and accommodations as needed
– Work hardening programs prior to return to full duty
The goal is to start the rehabilitation process as soon as possible after injury and progress it quickly to minimize deconditioning and prevent long-term disability. The workers compensation system can benefit from a similar focus on early, intensive rehabilitation to help injured workers recover function and return to gainful employment.
Behavioral Health Support
The military recognizes the significant psychological impacts that often accompany physical injuries, particularly in a combat setting. Comprehensive behavioral health support is integrated into the injury management process, including:
– Early screening for PTSD, depression, substance abuse, etc.
– Individual and group psychotherapy
– Medication management
– Family education and support
– Suicide prevention programs
By addressing behavioral health issues concurrently with physical injuries, the military aims to optimize overall outcomes and prevent long-term disability. The workers compensation system is increasingly recognizing the importance of behavioral health in recovery from workplace injuries, and can learn from the military’s proactive approach to identification and treatment of these issues.
The military assigns a dedicated case manager to each injured service member to serve as a single point of contact and coordinate all aspects of care. The case manager is responsible for:
– Developing an individualized care plan
– Coordinating appointments and services
– Communicating with the multidisciplinary treatment team
– Monitoring progress and adjusting the plan as needed
– Assisting with administrative tasks (benefits, paperwork, etc.)
– Planning for eventual return to duty or medical separation
This proactive case management model helps ensure continuity of care, prevent fragmentation of services, and keep the focus on the individual’s goals. The workers compensation system can benefit from a similar emphasis on case management to coordinate complex care needs and keep all stakeholders working towards a common goal.
Performance Metrics and Outcomes Tracking
The military closely tracks outcomes of injured service members to monitor the effectiveness of its injury management system. Key metrics include:
– Time from injury to initial treatment
– Time to definitive diagnosis and treatment plan
– Duration of rehabilitation
– Functional outcomes (strength, range of motion, etc.)
– Return to duty rates
– Long-term disability rates
– Patient satisfaction
This outcomes data is used to continuously refine and improve the military’s approach to injury care. The workers compensation system can learn from this by implementing standardized outcome measures and using this data to identify best practices and guide quality improvement efforts.
The military actively supports research into innovative approaches to injury management, with a focus on optimizing outcomes and speeding return to duty. Areas of active investigation include:
– Advanced wound care and tissue regeneration techniques
– Prosthetics and orthotics
– Regenerative medicine approaches (stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, etc.)
– Virtual reality and gaming technologies for rehabilitation
– Resilience training and other behavioral health interventions
The military’s investment in cutting-edge research has yielded numerous breakthroughs that have been translated into improved care for injured service members. The workers compensation system can benefit from partnering with military researchers and learning from their innovations in trauma care, rehabilitation, and behavioral health.
The U.S. military’s approach to injury management is characterized by a focus on early intervention, comprehensive evaluation, multidisciplinary treatment, aggressive rehabilitation, behavioral health support, case management, outcomes tracking, and innovation. While the specific context of military injuries may differ from those in the civilian workplace, the core principles and practices of the military’s system hold valuable lessons for the workers compensation industry. By learning from the military’s extensive experience and proven strategies, workers compensation professionals can improve the care provided to injured workers and optimize return-to-work outcomes. A collaborative approach between the military and civilian sectors, with sharing of best practices and research findings, has the potential to yield significant advances in the management of workplace injuries and the prevention of long-term disability.
©2025 Dr Frank McCormick All Rights Reserved.
©2025 Dr Frank McCormick All Rights Reserved.