Justice and triage in military medical ethics: A brief report

Marguerite W. Spruce; Megan K. Applewhite; Matthew Martin; Jennifer M. Gurney; Frederick C. Lough; Matthew D. Tadlock; John B. Holcomb

doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000004658

Justice and triage in military medical ethics: A brief report

Marguerite W. Spruce^*, Megan K. Applewhite, Matthew Martin, Jennifer M. Gurney, Frederick C. Lough, Matthew D. Tadlock, John B. Holcomb

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee held the second Military Fallen Surgeons Educational Symposium in conjunction with the 2024 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma meeting, which once again included an ethics segment. METHODS This case-based session guided discussion of complex and unique ethical challenges that arise in military medical practice when in a deployed environment. RESULTS Central themes included justice in triage, beneficence versus nonbeneficial care, dual agency, and moral injury. CONCLUSION In preparation for the conflicts of the future, we must both build on our collective experience and focus on education, innovation, and peer support for young providers who may experience similar situations. It is critical to learn from the problems that have been encountered in order to rise to the challenge of those we may not yet fathom.

Original language	English
Article number	4658
Journal	Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000004658
State	Accepted/In press - 2025
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

ethics case study
justice
Military medical ethics
moral injury
triage

Access to Document

10.1097/TA.0000000000004658

Cite this

@article{502f0861d9434769ae78bb34ddecffb7,

title = "Justice and triage in military medical ethics: A brief report",

abstract = "BACKGROUND The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee held the second Military Fallen Surgeons Educational Symposium in conjunction with the 2024 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma meeting, which once again included an ethics segment. METHODS This case-based session guided discussion of complex and unique ethical challenges that arise in military medical practice when in a deployed environment. RESULTS Central themes included justice in triage, beneficence versus nonbeneficial care, dual agency, and moral injury. CONCLUSION In preparation for the conflicts of the future, we must both build on our collective experience and focus on education, innovation, and peer support for young providers who may experience similar situations. It is critical to learn from the problems that have been encountered in order to rise to the challenge of those we may not yet fathom.",

keywords = "ethics case study, justice, Military medical ethics, moral injury, triage",

author = "Spruce, {Marguerite W.} and Applewhite, {Megan K.} and Matthew Martin and Gurney, {Jennifer M.} and Lough, {Frederick C.} and Tadlock, {Matthew D.} and Holcomb, {John B.}",

year = "2025",

doi = "10.1097/TA.0000000000004658",

language = "English",

journal = "Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery",

issn = "2163-0755",

publisher = "LWW",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Justice and triage in military medical ethics

T2 - A brief report

AU - Spruce, Marguerite W.

AU - Applewhite, Megan K.

AU - Martin, Matthew

AU - Gurney, Jennifer M.

AU - Lough, Frederick C.

AU - Tadlock, Matthew D.

AU - Holcomb, John B.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - BACKGROUND The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee held the second Military Fallen Surgeons Educational Symposium in conjunction with the 2024 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma meeting, which once again included an ethics segment. METHODS This case-based session guided discussion of complex and unique ethical challenges that arise in military medical practice when in a deployed environment. RESULTS Central themes included justice in triage, beneficence versus nonbeneficial care, dual agency, and moral injury. CONCLUSION In preparation for the conflicts of the future, we must both build on our collective experience and focus on education, innovation, and peer support for young providers who may experience similar situations. It is critical to learn from the problems that have been encountered in order to rise to the challenge of those we may not yet fathom.

AB - BACKGROUND The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Military Liaison Committee held the second Military Fallen Surgeons Educational Symposium in conjunction with the 2024 American Association for the Surgery of Trauma meeting, which once again included an ethics segment. METHODS This case-based session guided discussion of complex and unique ethical challenges that arise in military medical practice when in a deployed environment. RESULTS Central themes included justice in triage, beneficence versus nonbeneficial care, dual agency, and moral injury. CONCLUSION In preparation for the conflicts of the future, we must both build on our collective experience and focus on education, innovation, and peer support for young providers who may experience similar situations. It is critical to learn from the problems that have been encountered in order to rise to the challenge of those we may not yet fathom.

KW - ethics case study

KW - justice

KW - Military medical ethics

KW - moral injury

KW - triage

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105007051391&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1097/TA.0000000000004658

DO - 10.1097/TA.0000000000004658

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105007051391

SN - 2163-0755

JO - Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

JF - Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery

M1 - 4658

ER -