Training the trauma team – Why we need to focus on ton-technical skills

Abstract text (incl. references and figure legends)

Introduction:

Trauma teams improve patients' outcome. Team function requires attention to non-technical skills and regular training in simulation-based programs can improve non-technical skills, teamwork and team cohesion.

Our aim was to present the initial experience of an original, dedicated trauma team training program in a level 1 trauma center.

Material & Methods:

Since April 2021, eight editions of an original trauma team training course were held, training 82 trauma team members (46 female, median age 45 years old; 54 doctors and 28 nurses). Most common specialties: general surgery (22), intensive care medicine (18) and anesthesiology (10). The candidates organized trauma teams with a prearrival briefing. After initial assessment and decision for transfer, the scenario concluded, and the faculty led a debriefing focusing on non-technical skills. The participants answered a voluntary post course survey and 56 answers were collected (68% compliance rate).

Results:

We found an increase in self perceived comfort in trauma management and in overall team performance. Candidates reported that the prearrival briefing of the team, as well as the post-resuscitation debriefing, were key components of the team function.

Conclusions:

This initial experience demonstrates that a local in-house trauma team training course, designed according to local protocols and focusing on non-technical skills, can improve team member perceptions on the role of teamwork.

References

Gillman LM, Brindley PG, Blaivas M, Widder S, Karakitsos D. Trauma team dynamics. Journal of Critical Care. 2016;32:218–21.

D T Risser, et al. The Potential for Improved Teamwork to Reduce Medical Errors in the Emergency Department. The MedTeams Research Consortium. Ann Emerg Med. 1999;34(3):373–83.

Gerardo CJ, et al. The rapid impact on mortality rates of a dedicated care team including trauma and emergency physicians at an Academic Medical Center. J Emerg Med. 2011;40(5):586–91.

Disclosure: Do you have a significant financial interest, consultancy or other relationship with products, manufacturer(s) of products or providers of services related to this abstract? (If not, please enter "No" in the text field.)

No