Course summary

Trauma is the disease caused by physical injury. Trauma has only been called a “disease” since the 1970s. Although it seems strange at first, it is the correct term to use. Severe injury triggers a sequence of changes within the cells of the body and can lead to critical and disabling illness. Just like other diseases such as cancer, HIV and heart disease we need to understand these changes to improve survival and recovery. Trauma is one of the world’s leading killers and is responsible for the loss of more life-years than any other disease. All countries, developed and developing recognise the importance of trauma to their health care systems. Many countries including the UK are actively pursuing rationalisation and specialisation programmes. This distance-learning course will provide you with a broad and critical understanding of the most up-to-date science and practice of trauma care. A summer school incorporating simulated scenario training (consistent with your scope of practice) will complement the didactic learning to provide practical knowledge and experience of decision-making and the safe, professional delivery of core clinical functions in the management of seriously injured patients