Trauma management and education in Europe: A survey of twelve geographically and socioeconomically diverse European countries

To record the current standards of management and education in trauma surgery in 12 geographically and socioeconomically diverse countries in Europe. Questionnaire study. Teaching hospital, Austria. Questionnaire sent to experts on trauma in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Comparison of management of patients before, during, and after admission to hospital, and opportunities for initial and in-service training. Management of patients and opportunities for training varied considerably from country to country, ranging from an organised trauma service throughout with specialised training to a haphazard and variable service that depended more on individual hospitals, doctors and patients. Standardisation of management and training would be desirable, and should be possible at least in countries that are members of the European Union.