Abstract
IntroductionTrauma is widespread in Central and South America and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Providing high quality emergency trauma care is of great importance. Understanding the barriers to care is challenging; this systematic review aims to establish current the current challenges and barriers in providing high-quality trauma care within the 21 countries in the region.MethodsOVID Medline, Embase, EBM reviews and Global Health databases were systematically searched in October 2020. Records were screened by two independent researchers. Data were extracted according to a predetermined proforma. Studies of any type, published in the preceding decade were included, excluding grey literature and non-English records. Trauma was defined as blunt or penetrating injury from an external force. Studies were individually critically appraised and assessed for bias using the RTI item bank.Results57 records met the inclusion criteria. 20 countries were covered at least once. Nine key barriers were identified: training (37/57), resources and equipment (33/57), protocols (29/57), staffing (17/57), transport and logistics (16/57), finance (15/57), socio-cultural (13/57), capacity (9/57), public education (4/57).ConclusionNine key barriers negatively impact on the provision of high-quality trauma care and highlight potential areas for improving care in Central & South America. Many countries in the region, along with rural areas, are under-represented by the current literature and future research is urgently required to assess barriers to trauma management in these countries.No funding was received. Clinical Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020220380.
Highlights
Trauma is widespread in Central and South America and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality
This is significant as this age range encompasses most of the working population, improving mortality and morbidity rates is projected to provide economic benefit to low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) [5]
It has been estimated that reducing mortality rates in LMIC to those seen in higher-income countries (HIC) would lead to a $760 billion saving and save two million lives each year [6]
Summary
Trauma is widespread in Central and South America and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the barriers to care is challenging; this systematic review aims to establish current the current challenges and barriers in providing high-quality trauma care within the 21 countries in the region. Conclusion Nine key barriers negatively impact on the provision of high-quality trauma care and highlight potential areas for improving care in Central & South America. Trauma, defined as serious injury to the body (blunt force or penetrating) [1], presents a significant concern in Central and South America. In Mexico, almost two thirds of disabilities and half of deaths in 16–45 year olds are caused by unintentional trauma [2, 5] This is significant as this age range encompasses most of the working population, improving mortality and morbidity rates is projected to provide economic benefit to low-to-middle-income countries (LMIC) [5]. It has been estimated that reducing mortality rates in LMIC to those seen in higher-income countries (HIC) would lead to a $760 billion saving and save two million lives each year [6]
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