Basic trauma course for junior doctors

Who is it for?

The course is aimed at junior trainees who wish to pursue a career in trauma and orthopaedics or in accident and emergency and for those who deal with trauma. Most participants have passed the first part of the membership examination of the Royal College of Surgeons or the Royal College of Emergency Medicine and have more than four months’ experience in trauma and orthopaedics or accident and emergency. The candidates on my course were foundation trainees from all over the United Kingdom.

Why did you do it?

Having done a four month rotation in trauma and orthopaedics, I have developed a reasonable understanding of the basics of acute presentations of trauma in accident and emergency, but this was mainly through experience and observing seniors on the ward or in accident and emergency. I wanted to understand the principles behind trauma assessment, including plaster techniques, to help me in developing management plans for emergencies and fractures.

What did it cover?

The course itself was a full day, from 8 30 am until 6 pm, with regular breaks for refreshments. The course was led by three or four senior registrars, and participants were encouraged to share their experiences. The course information, which includes a brief summary of each of the main topics covered on the course, was sent out via email before the course.

The day consists of morning lecture sessions, mostly from senior registrars, and afternoon practical sessions from senior trauma fellows who have their certificate of completion of training. Lectures highlighted the initial assessment of trauma patients and safeguarding the soft tissues in the management of fractures.

The afternoon session covered a range of clinical scenarios that commonly present to the on-call team and often pose management dilemmas. Topics included in the afternoon were a dynamic hip screw workshop, demonstration of knee aspiration on models, and application of plaster of Paris casts. At the end of the course, the small groups were encouraged to participate in practical work. All faculty members were friendly and answered our questions.

The most interesting part for me was the dynamic hip screw practical session led by the senior registrar, which provided insight into radiographs of neck of femur fractures, their classification, and postoperative management.

Where is it held?

The course is held every June, July, and October at Solihull Hospital.

Is there an assessment?

There was a clinical scenarios assessment at the end of the course in the form of multiple choice questions and x ray films. A senior registrar organiser presented 20 scenarios and asked for questions from the audience.

Is it enjoyable?

The course was interesting and easy to digest, and the mix of lectures and practical sessions ensured our interest and concentration throughout. The social side of the course was important, offering the opportunity to meet senior orthopaedic surgeons. We were encouraged to ask questions during sessions as well as at the end of them.

How much did it cost?

The course cost £120, which included all course materials and refreshments. Junior trainees can get funding from their deanery at the end of the course.

Was it useful in clinical practice?

For doctors working in accident and emergency or in trauma and orthopaedics, this is a useful course. It will also help you to do fracture clinics under your consultant’s supervision and to assess postoperative trauma patients in the high dependency unit and on the wards.

In particular, the course has helped me to understand the basics of fracture make up, and it has increased my confidence in planning and managing trauma procedures, especially dealing with Colles’s fractures, knee aspiration, and application of casts. After the course you will be able to deal with trauma issues and know when to call for help.

Would you recommend this course?

Without doubt. This course is for doctors who want to pursue a career either in trauma and orthopaedics or in accident and emergency medicine. The key lesson is how to deal with trauma patients (the heart sink of on-call year 1 and year 2 specialty trainees), their initial assessment, and what to plan.

Top tips

• Get some experience in accident and emergency medicine, trauma and orthopaedics, and fracture fixation before doing this course

• Book early

• Read about the anatomy of the human body before attending the course; Snell’s Anatomy is enough1

• Read basic fracture management protocols before booking a place

Further information

Education Centre, Solihull Hospital, West Midlands B91 2JL; info{at}traumacourses.co.uk.