Breaking new ground in Trauma Education

Dr Amit Maini MBBS BSc FACEM

Alfred Hospital, Melbourne

Dr Andy Buck MBBS BMedSc FACEM

No Fixed Abode

Why is Trauma Education Important?

• Trauma is a major health problem

world-wide, and it’s on the up• Responsible for 10% of global

deaths, and by 2020, MVA will be 3rd leading cause of death in the world

• All trauma is managed in the Emergency Department first

• ACEM defines it as core, and high and expert level knowledge is expected

Trauma is COMMON!

• Heterogenous - no two traumas are

the same• Multisystem injuries - time critical

decisions, and skills can affect outcomes

• Many confounders - extremes of age, pregnancy, obesity, intoxication

• Conflicting priorities in management• Managing the room - co-ordinating

the “team” - human factors• In our system - most ED’s don’t

manage major trauma, but we all need to know how

Trauma is HARD!

Trauma is EXPENSIVE!

• Affects all ages, in Australia, peak incidence in 15-24y age group• Large economic burden attached to this:• hospital treatment• productive life years lost to morbidity & mortality• social / psychological cost - families, staff

But does education affect clinical outcomes?

• Aim of education – to improve quality of care• Outcomes are the key, but are difficult to

measure:• Heterogeneity of trauma• Poor methods for assessment of morbidity• Difficulty measuring intervention that

affects only one aspect of patient care

Trauma Education – the old way

Textbooks Working at a trauma centre One short course

Trauma Education Needs Survey *

* Trauma Education Needs Survey via www.edexam.com.au and www.edtcc.com November 2012

Less than 50% who attended an alternative trauma course feel adequately prepared to confidently

manage trauma patients.

• Old article but validates utility of face to face short course format

• Lectures, small group sessions, skill stations and scenarios – seen to be effective

• Demonstrated improved compliance with guidelines

• Hard to demonstrate effect on clinical outcomes

• Studies show combination of online learning & face to face teaching better than either alone

Face to face courses

Would you consider doing a trauma course other than EMST / ATLS if it was designed to meet your trauma

education / experience needs?*

* Trauma Education Needs Survey via www.edexam.com.au and www.edtcc.com November 2012

Trauma Education – the new way

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Course manual in iBook format with video, audio & digital imagesAccessible & up to date

Blog Podcast3 Day CourseFace to faceInteractiveRelevant

ED Focused

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