Design, implementation and long-term follow-up of a context specific trauma training course in Uganda: Lessons learned and future directions

Sarah J Ullrich; Cathy Kilyewala; Michael S Lipnick; Maija Cheung; Martha Namugga; Peter Muwanguzi; Michael P DeWane; Arlene Muzira; Janat Tumukunde; Monica Kabagambe; Naomi Kebba; Moses Galukande; Jacqueline Mabweijano; Doruk Ozgediz

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.10.048

Design, implementation and long-term follow-up of a context specific trauma training course in Uganda: Lessons learned and future directions

Am J Surg. 2020 Feb;219(2):263-268. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.10.048. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Affiliations

¹ Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 330 Cedar Street, FMB 107, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. Electronic address: sarah.ullrich@yale.edu.
² Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
³ University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, 1001 Potrero Ave, 3C31, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA.
⁴ Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, 330 Cedar Street, FMB 107, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.

PMID: 31732117
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2019.10.048

Abstract

Background: The Kampala Advanced Trauma Course (KATC) was developed in 2007 due to a locally identified need for an advanced trauma training curriculum for the resource-constrained setting. We describe the design, implementation and evaluation of the course.

Methods: The course has been delivered to over 1,000 interns rotating through surgery at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Participants from 2013 to 2016 were surveyed after completion of the course.

Results: The KATC was developed with local faculty and includes didactic and simulation modules. Over 50% of survey respondents reported feeling confident performing and teaching 7 of 11 course skills and felt the most relevant skill was airway management(30.2%). Participants felt least confident managing head trauma(26.4%). Lack of equipment(52.8%) was identified as the most common barrier to providing trauma care.

Conclusions: Providers are confident with most skill sets after taking the KATC. Minimal dependence on instructors from high-income countries has kept the course sustainable and maximized local relevance.

Keywords: ATLS; Africa; Surgical education; Training; Trauma course; Uganda.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Clinical Competence*
Curriculum*
Databases, Factual
Developing Countries
Education, Medical, Graduate / methods*
Female
Humans
Male
Retrospective Studies
Tertiary Care Centers
Traumatology / education*
Uganda