An Integrative Review of the Military's Approach to Talent Management: Insights for Cultivating Talent in Medical Education.

Abstract

Burnout remains a persistent challenge for the physician workforce. In this context, the ability to identify and retain physician talent plays a crucial role in optimizing workforce capacity. Other disciplines, such as the military, use comprehensive frameworks to identify, develop, and retain talent. These approaches may offer valuable insights for medical education, particularly with the increasing emphasis on competency-based training. An integrative review examining the military's approach to talent identification, development, facilitation, and management was conducted in 2024, with an updated search performed in October 2025. A total of 477 articles were identified and screened at the title and abstract level using predefined inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles were ultimately included for data extraction. Four major themes emerged: (1) the military defines talent holistically; (2) organizational structures align individual talent with specific positions to support well-being and maximize job performance; (3) individual talents are viewed as contributing to the success of a broader entity (e.g., a team, unit, or community); and (4) talent retention is a primary organizational focus. Reviewing the military's approach to identifying and retaining talent highlights the potential impact of a talent-focused framework in medical education. Addressing workforce challenges through a collective lens and aligning talent with specific roles may enhance physician well-being while also reducing burnout.