Prehospital trauma care education for first responders in India

Abstract Background A major factor contributing to global trauma mortality and morbidity is the lack of effective prehospital trauma services in developing settings. We developed a 2-d training course for nondoctor first responders featuring high-fidelity simulation and video-assisted debriefing, self-directed learning videos, and native language instruction. Materials and methods A pilot session was conducted in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Eighteen local instructors were recruited to train 48 layperson first responders in 10 essential subjects. Didactic sessions of 15–20 min consisting of self-directed learning videos were followed by 30–40 min skill sessions featuring high-fidelity simulation, and concluded with 15–20 min video-debriefing periods. Changes in competence were evaluated using pretraining and posttraining surveys. Results Results demonstrated that statistically significant competence increases in all areas of trauma management assessed: airway ( t [46] = 7.30, P