Journal of Trauma and Injury

Original Article

Changes in the characteristics of civilian patients admitted to a military hospital before and during the healthcare system crisis: a retrospective cohort study: Changsin Lee, Sang Mok Lee, Kyungwon Lee; J Trauma Inj. 2026;39(1):14-24. Published online March 3, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.20408/jti.2025.0096

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
In February 2024, a healthcare system crisis in Korea, triggered by the mass resignation of medical residents in protest of government medical policies, resulted in an increased influx of civilian trauma patients to a military trauma center. This study examines the scale, characteristics, and treatment outcomes of these patients before and during the crisis.
Methods
A retrospective review was conducted, comparing civilian trauma patients who visited the center from March 2023 to February 2024 (before crisis) and from March 2024 to February 2025 (during the crisis). The variables analyzed included patient demographics, injury types, methods of transportation, length of emergency room (ER) stay, hospitalization outcomes, and final treatment results. Only civilian trauma patients who required hospitalization were included; mild cases discharged from the ER were excluded.
Results
A total of 548 civilian patients visited the center during the study period, with a significant increase observed during the crisis (364 patients during the crisis vs. 81 patients before the crisis). Despite the surge, there were no significant differences in hospital arrival routes, methods of transportation, mechanisms of injury, or injury types. ER stay durations were shorter for both general and severe cases during the crisis (P=0.020 and P=0.033, respectively), although intensive care unit and overall hospital stay lengths remained unchanged. Civilian outpatient visits increased more than threefold in March 2024 compared to February 2024, and this elevated trend remained stable.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the military trauma center’s ability to maintain effective civilian trauma care despite significant healthcare system disruptions. The study underscores the resilience of the center and offers insights for optimizing trauma care operations in future crises.; Summary

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