Premium
TRAINING IN PAEDIATRIC TRAUMA: THE PROBLEM OF SAFER SOCIETIES
Author(s) -
Hamill James,
Beasley Spencer W.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2006.03781.x
Subject(s) - medicine , trauma care , major trauma , pediatric trauma , pediatric surgeon , trauma surgery , incidence (geometry) , pediatrics , family medicine , medical emergency , injury prevention , poison control , pediatric surgery , surgery , physics , orthopedic surgery , optics
Background: Trauma remains the most common cause of child death worldwide but the incidence of major trauma is declining in many developed countries: this has implications for training. A survey of paediatric surgeons and paediatric surgical trainees was undertaken to evaluate perceptions of the relative importance of various forms of trauma training. Methods: A questionnaire was emailed to Australasian paediatric surgeons and trainees to determine trauma courses they had undertaken, operative and non‐operative paediatric trauma experience and attitudes towards trauma training. Results: The overall response rate was 49% (40 of 83 consultants and 11 of 22 trainees). The Early Management of Severe Trauma course had been undertaken by 82% of consultants and all trainees. The Definitive Surgical Trauma Care course had been undertaken by 22% of consultants and one trainee. The number of trauma laparotomies carried out in the previous year was in the one to five range for 71% of responders. Greater emphasis was placed on the value of adult trauma experience by consultants who had a general surgical fellowship. Conclusion: In societies where major trauma in children is relatively rare (fortunately) and the opportunities for training are limited, it is important to ensure that advanced trainees in paediatric surgery gain sufficient skills from a variety of sources to enable them to treat competently the severely injured child with multiple injuries.