The European trauma course – trauma teaching goes European

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified trauma as the major health care challenge of our century, claiming more productive life years worldwide than any other disease [1]. In the European Union (EU), injury accounts for 15 % of all deaths before the age of 60 years and is the fourth most common cause of death, with more than 235,000 deaths each year from injuries, equating to 600 injury fatalities per day [2]. In children, adolescents and young adults, accident and injury rates are even higher, being the leading cause of death in these age groups. Mortality from trauma in the EU has fallen 20 % in the past 20 years, to a rate of 63.7 per 100,000 in 2010 [3]. This reduction is partly due to primary injury prevention, but indicates a significant contribution of improved emergency health care services. Despite improvements in both primary and secondary injury prevention, the WHO estimate that the mortality of major trauma in Europe could be decreased by a further 30 % by improving the chain of care for major trauma patients [2]. Crucial links in this chain are effective hospital trauma teams responsible for the initial assessment and management of trauma patients. The concept of trauma teams is well established in most European countries, requiring different medical specialties and non-medical professions to work seamlessly together under significant time pressures in order to achieve the best possible patient outcome. The main attributes of successful trauma teams are competent team members, leadership, excellent communication and cooperation [4, 5]. The unmet need for a corresponding training programme has prompted the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) to launch the European Trauma Course (ETC) project in cooperation with the European Society of Anaesthesiology (ESA), the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) and the European Society for Emergency Medicine (EuSEM). An international group of clinical experts in trauma care and medical education was appointed to develop the course and, after 3 years of developmental work and four pilot courses, the first ETC was held at the 2008 ERC meeting in Ghent, Belgium. The ETC is an innovative, multi-disciplinary 2.5-day course aimed at doctors and allied health care professionals involved in the initial care of severely injured patients. The novel modular course concept is scenario-based and provides state-of-the art team training through workshops and skill stations, reflecting prevailing European practice. Twenty-four candidates, in teams of four (doctors from all specialties, nurses, paramedics), are taken through 30 progressive trauma admission scenarios, with a strong focus on teamwork, communication and non-technical skills. The modules cover all major aspects of trauma resuscitation. Two lectures and two patient demonstrations All authors are board members of the European Trauma Course Organisation.