Towards research combat readiness: prepared, prospective and preapproved

Abstract

Research drives the advancement of medical knowledge during war, but planning and execution are too slow to enable early data acquisition. Future conflicts are likely to be shorter and more dispersed, requiring innovation to avoid missing out on the crucial early stages. To seize the initiative, we suggest that a collection of preapproved research studies be designed, stored and maintained within the medical command structure so that they are ready for immediate implementation at the onset of future conflicts, even during the most kinetic early phases of deployment.