Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does ATLS trauma training fit into Western countries: evaluation of the first 8 years of ATLS in Germany

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

With over 2 million certified physicians worldwide, the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program is one of the most successful international medical education programs. Germany joined the ATLS program in 2003. Before implementation of the program, there was a controversial discussion as to whether a country like Germany with a long history of trauma care needed ATLS at all. 197 courses with nearly 3,000 providers were performed until December 2010.

Aim

We assessed the course evaluations since the implementation of ATLS in Germany using the participants’ systematic feedback.

Method

During the course, each participant evaluated each presentation, skill station, and simulation on a rating scale from 1 to 4 (1 being the best, 4 being the worst). The participants completed the evaluation forms during the course and before they received their results. The course coordinator made sure that all forms were returned. The feedback forms were collected anonymously and were entered into a database. Statistical analysis was performed using frequencies and mean values.

Results

The cumulative evaluation of all courses revealed an average performance score of 1.39 (1.06–1.86; n = 197). The lectures, skill stations, and simulations were individually evaluated as follows: lectures 1.61 (1.00–2.81; n = 197), skill stations 1.40 (1.00–2.40; n = 197), and surgical skill stations 1.35 (1.00–2.38; n = 197). Practical skills simulation (case scenarios) received the highest grade of 1.24 (1.00–1.57; n = 197). There were no significant changes during the time concerning the results of the evaluation.

Conclusion

The overall assessment showed constantly good and excellent evaluations by the participants over the years. In general, skill stations and simulations performed better than lectures. According to these results, the course format is well accepted by the participants and, therefore, can be recommended to all physicians treating trauma patients. Our results also underline the value of such a course format in an industrial country with an already established trauma system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ali J, Adam R, Butler AK, Chang H, Howard M, Gonsalves D, et al. Trauma outcome improves following the advanced trauma life support program in a developing country. J Trauma. 1993;34(6):890–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bouillon B, Kanz KG, Lackner CK, Mutschler W, Sturm J. The importance of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) in the emergency room. Unfallchirurg. 2004;107:844–50.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Esposito TJ, Copass MK, Maier RV. Analysis of surgical participation in the Advanced Trauma Life Support course. What are the goals and are we meeting them? Arch Surg. 1992;127:721–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Helm M, Kulla M, Lampl L. Advanced Trauma Life Support. A training concept also for Europe. Anaesthesist. 2007;56:1142–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Davis JW, Hoyt DB, McArdle MS, Mackersie RC, Eastman AB, Virgilio RW, et al. An analysis of errors causing morbidity and mortality in a trauma system: a guide for quality improvement. J Trauma. 1992;32(5):660–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. American College of Surgeons Committee of Trauma (ACSCOT). Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) for doctors. 8th ed. Chicago: American College of Surgeons Committee of Trauma (ACSCOT); 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Sturm JA, Lackner CK, Bouillon B. Advanced-Trauma-Life-Support-Programm (ATLS): Ist das Schulungsprogramm zur Verbesserung der Schwerverletztenversorgung im Schockraum noch aktuell? Trauma Berufskrankh. 2004;6:S146–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Sturm JA, Lackner CK, Bouillon B, Seekamp A, Mutschler WE. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Unfallchirurg. 2002;105:1027–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Schweiberer L, Nast-Kolb D, Duswald KH, Waydhas C, Müller K. Polytrauma—treatment by the staged diagnostic and therapeutic plan. Unfallchirurg. 1987;90:529–38.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bishop M, Shoemaker WC, Avakian S, James E, Jackson G, Williams D, et al. Evaluation of a comprehensive algorithm for blunt and penetrating thoracic and abdominal trauma. Am Surg. 1991;57(12):737–46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Ruchholtz S, Zintl B, Nast-Kolb D, Waydhas C, Schwender D, Pfeifer KJ, et al. Quality management in early clinical polytrauma management. II. Optimizing therapy by treatment guidelines. Unfallchirurg. 1997;100(11):859–66.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Styner JK. The birth of Advanced Trauma Life Support. J Trauma Nurs. 2006;13(2):41–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. American College of Surgeons (ACS). Quality assurance in trauma care. Chicago: American College of Surgeons (ACS); 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Townsend RN, Clark R, Ramenofsky ML, Diamond DL. ATLS-based videotape trauma resuscitation review: education and outcome. J Trauma. 1993;34:133–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. van Olden GD, Meeuwis JD, Bolhuis HW, Boxma H, Goris RJ. Clinical impact of advanced trauma life support. Am J Emerg Med. 2004;22:522–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Scharplatz D, Sutter PM. 5 years ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support) courses in Switzerland. Swiss Surg. 2003;9:263–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Styner JK. The birth of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Surgeon. 2006;4(3):163–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Ali J, Adam RU, Sammy I, Ali E, Williams JI. The simulated trauma patient teaching module—does it improve student performance? J Trauma. 2007;62:1416–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Anastakis DJ, Regehr G, Reznick RK, Cusimano M, Murnaghan J, Brown M, et al. Assessment of technical skills transfer from the bench training model to the human model. Am J Surg. 1999;177:167–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Anastakis DJ, Wanzel KR, Brown MH, McIlroy JH, Hamstra SJ, Ali J, et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of a 2-year curriculum in a surgical skills center. Am J Surg. 2003;185:378–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Carley S, Driscoll P. Trauma education. Resuscitation. 2001;48:47–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Carrico CJ, Gann D, Holcroft J. Guidelines for trauma care fellowships. J Trauma. 1992;33(4):491–4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Hogan MP, Boone DC. Trauma education and assessment. Injury. 2008;39:681–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Kennedy DWG, Gentleman D. The ATLS course, a survey of 228 ATLS providers. Emerg Med J. 2001;18:55–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Jayaraman S, Sethi D. Advanced trauma life support training for hospital staff (review). New York: The Cochrane Collaboration; Wiley; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kelly AM, Ardagh MW. Does learning emergency medicine equip medical students for ward emergencies? Med Educ. 1994;28(6):524–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Thies KC, Nagele P. Advanced Trauma Life Support—a standard of care for Germany? No substantial improvement of care can be expected. Anaesthesist. 2007;56:1147–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Wölfl CG, Gliwitzky B, Wentzensen A. Standardised primary care of multiple trauma patients. Prehospital Trauma Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support. Unfallchirurg. 2009;112:846–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Wölfl CG, Bouillon B, Lackner CK, Wentzensen A, Gliwitzky B, Groß B, et al. Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS): an interdisciplinary training in preclinical trauma care. Unfallchirurg. 2008;111:688–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

Matthias Muenzberg, Thomas Paffrath, Gerrit Matthes, Lutz Mahlke, Marzellus Hofmann, and Christoph Woelfl have received expense allowances from the AUC (Academy for Trauma Surgery) for their work as ATLS instructors. Christoph Woelfl is, furthermore, the national director of the ATLS program in Germany. Marzellus Hofmann is currently the national educator of the ATLS program in Germany. Benedict Swartman and Rolf Lefering declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

    M. Muenzberg, B. Swartman & C. G. Wölfl

  2. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Cologne Merheim Medical Center (CMMC), University of Witten/Herdecke, Ostmerheimer Straße 200, 51109, Cologne, Germany

    T. Paffrath

  3. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, BG Klinik Berlin, Warener Straße 7, 12683, Berlinv, Germany

    G. Matthes

  4. Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Am Busdorf 2, 33098, Paderborn, Germany

    L. Mahlke

  5. Institution for Didactics and Education Sciences in Health Care, University Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448, Witten, Germany

    M. Hoffman

  6. Institute for Research in Operative Medicine (IFOM), University of Witten/Herdecke, Ostmerheimer Straße 200, Haus 38, 51109, Cologne, Germany

    R. Lefering

Authors
  1. M. Muenzberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. T. Paffrath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Matthes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Mahlke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. B. Swartman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Hoffman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. R. Lefering
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. C. G. Wölfl
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. G. Wölfl.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Muenzberg, M., Paffrath, T., Matthes, G. et al. Does ATLS trauma training fit into Western countries: evaluation of the first 8 years of ATLS in Germany. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 39, 517–522 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0316-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-013-0316-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation