Ethical Considerations in Embedding a Surgeon in a Military or Civilian Tactical Team

Tactical emergency medical services (TEMS) bring immediate medical support to the inner perimeter of special weapons and tactics team activations. While initially envisioned as a role for an individual dually trained as a police officer and paramedic, TEMS is increasingly undertaken by physicians and paramedics who are not police officers. This report explores the ethical underpinnings of embedding a surgeon within a military or civilian tactical team with regard to identity, ethically acceptable actions, triage, responsibility set, training, certification, and potential future refinements of the role of the tactical police surgeon. KaplanLJ, SiegelMD, EastmanAL, FlynnLM, RosenbaumSH, ConeDC, BlakeDP, MulhernJ. Ethical considerations in embedding a surgeon in a military or civilian tactical team. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2012;27(6):1-6.