Optimised injury assessment

The research project examines the consequences of contemporary warfare on defence medicine.

Strategic response planning includes injury estimates based on a relevant projection of the level of threat, together with descriptions of various adversaries. These determine the dimensions of medical services in an operation, taking into account defense, level of conflict, and intensity of conflict/war in the current operational environment. Many of today's injury projections are based on historical experience and estimates.

The operational environment of contemporary warfare, with qualified adversaries and increased effectiveness, precision, and range for engaging military and civilian targets, creates new conditions and needs for protecting and caring for casualties. These conditions provide an important basis for the assessment and development of future civilian care of the injured and dead. Strategic and operational factors will need to be reassessed and developed to ensure credible and relevant care of injured military and civilian personnel in a complex and threatening environment.

The role of the medical profession in war

The long-term aim of the research is to increase knowledge about the role of the medical profession in war. The research will also provide the basis for examining the role and interaction of the medical professions in a staff, in a unit, and at headquarters.

The following overarching issues will be analysed:

• What are the relevant threat scenarios in terms of combat intensity, defence systems, effects and environments?
• Is our existing injury assessment model relevant for national defence? What alternative models exist in the world?
• What are the characteristics of the most dangerous threat scenarios (those with the highest damage impact)?

The project is conducted within the framework of Defence Systems and War Studies at the Swedish Defence University, as part of the Swedish Armed Forces' Research and Technology Development programme.