Trauma

According to the Global Burden of Disease Report, the leading cause of death for individuals younger than 45 is trauma. Out of the possible injuries, Traumatic Brain Injury (CDC factsheet) is the leading cause across all age groups.

The young are dying of trauma.


Unfortunately, due to the nature of this Cause of Death (often careless mistakes, unforeseeable accidents, etc.), funding for research on better traumatic care is limited. Trauma lacks a clear and definable target of pursuit (like Cancer). Trauma surgeons, however, are eager to learn better how to care for patients rushed into the ER with not even minutes - seconds - to spare before critical decisions must be made. Unfortunately, with insufficient academic work, surgeons must rely on instinct and experience. These are necessary skills for sure, but instinct and experience backed by empirical evidence is even stronger.


I feel that slower, more detailed surgical work is better suited for me, but I also feel that I am very calm and rational in intense circumstances. That has never been tested in a life or death matter, so I can't fully say anything, but that may be a good attribute to have for trauma surgeons.

We will see.

Missing Loved Ones, WTC Memorial - New York City