Defining Components of a DoD Globally Integrated Trauma System: A Global Review of Evidence, Policy, and Practice

A GTS is an innovative strategy to address the risk to mission and force generated by existing DoD trauma system capacity shortfall. If developed appropriately across the four domains identified in this study, the system can enable the DoD to strengthen relationships with ally and partner nations, promote knowledge sharing, and improve global health outcomes. This study benefited from coalescing findings from 24 years of publications. However, the broad timeframe may have resulted in the inclusion of outdated information. Moreover, only publications in English were included for data extraction. Future research could counteract these limitations through interviews with in-country subject matter experts. Moving forward, the DoD should develop a GTS strategy informed by the current trauma system capacity risk in each Combatant Command, identify specific partner nations that could help close the gap, develop an engagement plan to establish necessary agreements, and create an implementation plan to guide execution. Doing so increases access, placement, and interoperability although mitigating operational risk. The DoD should capitalize on this opportunity to develop a GTS that provides a north star for all stakeholders involved.