Essential Trauma Course (ETC - formerly BTC)

Description: This course provides essential training in trauma care for healthcare professionals and workers in rural settings. The course extends beyond hospital care and centers on a patient pathway system: tracing the patient's management from the initial site of injury at the scene to the rural health posts, continuing to the provincial hospitals, and subsequently to definitive referral centers. 

The course stresses essential aspects of trauma management of patients in the countryside. When appropriate, other advanced management options are mentioned depending on the availability of resources. It emphasizes the understanding of trauma kinematics, communication, registry, and other emergency medical system components.

General Objective: This course aims to deliver a reasonable, systematic approach to managing patients who sustained traumatic injuries in areas where resources are limited.

Specific Objectives: 

1. To obtain a basic understanding of the mechanism of traumatic injuries

2. To identify the critically injured patient and appropriately triage based on the limitation of resources in the region

3. To present a systematic approach to the management of trauma patients in a rural setting with minimal resources

4. To present a practical hands-on experience in the initial assessment and stabilization of the injured patient in the field and hospital setting

Target Audience (who should attend): Rural Physicians, General Surgeons, Emergency Physicians, EMS Providers, Nurses, Residents, Students, & Public Health Workers

Course Agenda: 2-day (16 hrs.) course based on didactic lectures and hands-on practicum.

Course lectures Include:

• Introduction to Trauma in rural settings
• Introduction to EMS/kinematics/Trauma registry
• Assessment, Stabilization & Management
• Airway management
• Shock and Fluid Resuscitation
• Management of specific organ injuries

The Course Practicum/Lab Include:

• Communication EMS
• Kinematics of Trauma
• Trauma Registry
• Patient Assessment
• Airway management (Mannequin)
• Thoracic management
• Hemorrhage Control
• Musculoskeletal – Immobilization lab

Manual is available in the following languages: English & Spanish, and it will be provided to participants on the training site.

Pre-Test &Post-Test: Onsite Administration.

Evaluation Form: Onsite Administration.

Certificate: Onsite Administration (if paid pre-course) 

Course Duration: 2 days

Course Director & Faculty: Course directors and faculty must be experts in Trauma and disaster management. The director and faculty can be international or local experts. All course directors and faculty must be pre-approved by ITSDP.

Local Coordinator: Each course must have a regional coordinator. The course coordinator can be local or International.

Number of Participants: Ratio of instructors to students 1:6