Social Justice, Capabilities and the Quality of Education in Low Income Countries
Layperson trauma training in low- and middle-income countries: a review
-
Upload
independent -
Category
Documents
-
view
2 -
download
0
Transcript of Layperson trauma training in low- and middle-income countries: a review
ww.sciencedirect.com
j o u rn a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e7
Available online at w
ScienceDirect
journal homepage: www.JournalofSurgicalResearch.com
Layperson trauma training in low- andmiddle-income countries: a review
Tyler E. Callese,a Christopher T. Richards, MD,b,c,*Pamela Shaw, MSLIS, MS,d Steven J. Schuetz, MD,a Nabil Issa, MD,a
Lorenzo Paladino, MD,e and Mamta Swaroop, MDa
aDivision of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern
University, Chicago, IllionisbCenter for Healthcare Studies, Institute for Public Health and Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern
University, Chicago, IllinoiscDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IllinoisdGalter Health Sciences Library, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IllinoiseDepartment of EmergencyMedicine, StateUniversity ofNewYorkDownstate School ofMedicine,NewYork,NewYork
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 5 December 2013
Received in revised form
8 March 2014
Accepted 12 March 2014
Available online xxx
Keywords:
Education
Trauma
First-responder
International
Resource-poor
LMIC
Trauma system development
Layperson
Systematic review
Global surgery
* Corresponding author. Department of EmNorthwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611.
E-mail address: c-richards@northwestern0022-4804/$ e see front matter ª 2014 Elsevhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jss.2014.03.029
a b s t r a c t
Background: Prehospital trauma systems are rudimentary in many low- and middle-income
countries (LMICs) and require laypersons to stabilize and transport injured patients. TheWorld
Health Organization recommends educating layperson first responders as an essential step in
the development of Emergency Medical Services systems in LMICs. This systematic review ex-
amines trauma educational initiatives for layperson first responders in resource-poor settings.
Materials and methods: Layperson first-responder training and education program publica-
tions were identified using PubMed MEDLINE and Scopus databases. Articles addressing
physicians, professional Emergency Medical Services training, or epidemiologic
descriptions were excluded. Publications were assessed by independent reviewers, and
those included underwent thematic analysis.
Results: Thirteen publications met inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged regarding the
development of layperson first-responder training programs: (1) An initial needs assess-
ment of a region’s existing trauma system of care and laypersons’ baseline emergency care
knowledge focuses subsequent educational interventions; (2) effective programs adapt to
and leverage existing resources; (3) training methods should anticipate participants with
low levels of education and literacy; and (4) postimplementation evaluation allows for
curriculum improvement. Technology, such as online and remote learning platforms, can
be used to operationalize each theme.
Conclusions: Successful training programs for layperson first responders in LMICs identify
and maximize existing resources are adaptable to learners with little formal education and
are responsive to postimplementation evaluation. Educational platforms that leverage
technology to deliver content may facilitate first-responder trauma education in under-
resourced areas. Themes identified can inform the development of trauma systems of care
to decrease mortality and physiological severity scores in trauma patients in LMICs.
ª 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ergency Medicine and Center for Healthcare Studies, Feinberg School of Medicine,Tel.: þ1 (312) 503 5500; fax: (312) 503 - 2755..edu (C.T. Richards).ier Inc. All rights reserved.
j o u r n a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e72
1. Introduction manuscripts were reviewed for inclusion. Disagreements
An estimated 90% of all trauma-related deaths occur in low-
and middle-income countries (LMICs) [1]. Implementation of
first-responder training programs decreases mortality and
physiological severity scores in LMICs [2]. However, systems of
prehospital care are rudimentary in many LMICs, leaving the
initial stabilization and transportation of the injured to the
untrained layperson [3].
The World Health Organization recommends the devel-
opment of layperson first-responder programs as an essential
step in establishing prehospital systems of care [4]. However,
synthesis of existing trauma educational programs and
formal recommendations directing the development of such
programs for first responders is lacking.
This systematic literature review examines existing
educational initiatives for layperson first responders in LMICs
to inform the design of prehospital trauma care systems in
resource-poor settings.
2. Methods
2.1. Search strategy
The patient population, intervention, comparison, and out-
comes format was used to develop inclusion and exclusion
criteria. Specifically, patients included students of first-
responder courses in resource-poor LMICs. Interventions
included layperson first-responder training programs. Com-
paratorswere informalandunstructured laypersonapproaches
to the care of traumatized patients in LMIC settings. The
outcome assessed was the successful implementation of first-
responder trauma courses for laypersons in LMIC.
PubMed MEDLINE and Scopus databases were queried to
identify relevant peer-reviewed research describing or evalu-
ating the training of layperson responders from 1965 to
November 2013. Search terms were “trauma” and “first
response or first responder or first responders” and “emer-
gency” and “education or training.” To maximize sensitivity
for LMIC training programs, the geographic and economic
characteristics of the study setting were not initially restricted
to LMICs. Studies conducted in non-LMIC settings and non-
English articles were excluded after title and abstract review.
Only English language articles were included for analysis.
Searches returned only two non-English articles. In addition,
bibliographies of reviewed publications were crosschecked for
additional relevant studies.
2.2. Eligibility criteria
Publications that described the current state, evaluation, or
the development of layperson first-responder trauma training
programs were included for review. One independent
reviewer assessed titles and abstracts, and two independent
reviewers assessed full texts in a hierarchal manner. Articles
that met search criteria were obtained, and the full
among reviewers were resolved through consensus.
Exclusion criteria were applied in abstract and full manu-
script review. Publication types labeled as “comments” or
“letters” were excluded to focus on formal evaluations of
existing programs. Studies reporting the epidemiology of
trauma victims in LMICs without mention of training pro-
grams were excluded. Studies describing interventions in
high-income countries were excluded. Manuscripts address-
ing the psychological status of first-responder personnel were
excluded. Studies of populations with a very specific skill set,
such as physician first responders, were excluded. Articles
describing first-responder training limited to only military
personnel were excluded. Articles related to first-responder
training that gave no details of the training methods or
details of the structure of the education program were also
excluded.
2.3. Thematic analysis
A qualitative thematic analysis with a five-stage iterative
process was used to analyze each eligible manuscript: (1)
development of coding schedule, (2) coding of data, (3)
description of main categories, (4) linking of categories to
themes, and (5) development of explanations for relations
among themes. Initial codeswere created inductively from the
manuscripts. One author developed the coding schedule, and
two independent reviewers applied thematic categories to
each eligible manuscript in an iterative manner. Disagree-
ments were resolved by consensus. Major themes were iden-
tified from the categorized manuscripts. Data were managed
using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Seattle, WA).
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Included manuscripts
Searches returned 61 results in MEDLINE and 37 results in
Scopus, with an 82% overlap of results. The total number of
unique results across both databases before exclusion criteria
were applied was 68. Thirteen articles fulfilled the inclusion
criteria (Figure). Six articles described layperson first-
responder training programs in LMICs, providing a compre-
hensive overview of curriculum development, training
protocols, or results of pre- and post-training assessments
(Table 1). Six articles followed up these same previously
implemented programs, assessing curriculum design and
training efficacy. One study described the use of technology to
leverage educational initiatives in rural regions of LMIC
(Table 2). The six programs identified were in six countries
throughout the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
3.2. Training programs
Six layperson first-responder training programs were identi-
fied in this review. The program implemented in Ghana pro-
vided first-responder training to commercial drivers,
Figure e Flow chart of the selection process for studies included in the systematic review.
j o u rn a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e7 3
including truck, taxi, and bus operators [5]. The curriculum
was developed from Where there is No Doctor [6] and Basic First
Aid [7]. The 6-h course, which consisted of didactic and prac-
tical sections, was specifically oriented toward the education
level of Ghanaian drivers and was completed by 335 taxi
drivers [5].
Layperson first-responder training in Cambodia and
Northern Iraq used a novel “Village University” concept [8].
Mine-infested communities in Cambodia and Northern Iraq
were selected because of the high rates of death and injury
from land mines. The “Village University” concept involved
extensive training of a small number of local health care
providers, who in turn, trained and developed their own net-
works of lay first responders in their respective regions [8]. A
total of 2800 laypersons received first-responder training that
consisted of a 2-d basic first aid course followed by a 1-d
practical [8].
Table 1 e Primary training programs.
Study authors Program summary
Mock et al. [5] Commercial driver trauma education program
Husum et al. [8] “Village University” training program
Nafissi et al. [14] Augment existing treatment chains through tra
Karmacharya et al. [9] Leveraging technology to increase accessibility
training programs
Jayaraman et al. [10] Layperson trauma education program
Sun et al. [11] EFAR
EFAR ¼ Emergency First Aid Responder.
Themes: 1. initial needs assessment; 2. curriculum development; 3. adap
A program in rural Iran focused on augmenting existing
trauma care by providing first-responder training to layper-
sons [9]. Two training courses were developed for laypersons
based on prior experience and level of education. A total of
4649 layperson first responders were trained in this system [9].
The program in Nepal leveraged technology to facilitate
layperson training programs [9]. A free online platform con-
sisting of a didactic portion and a net-based multiple-choice
examination was developed. After successfully demon-
strating proficiency, the trainee would qualify for further
training in regional centers [9].
In Kampala, Uganda, a layperson trauma education pro-
gram was implemented that focused on training emergency
personnel, commercial drivers, and community leaders [10].
The 1-d course consisted of didactic and practical portions
that used pictographic materials and required minimal liter-
acy skills [10].
Setting Themes
Ghana 1,2, 3, 4
Cambodia and Northern Iraq 1, 2, 4
uma training programs Iran 1, 2, 4
of layperson trauma Nepal 1, 3, 4
Uganda 1, 2, 3, 4
South Africa 1, 4
ting curriculum for low education levels; and 4. program evaluation.
Table 2 e Assessments and expansion of primary training programs.
Study authors Program summary Setting Themes
Tiska et al. [17] Assessment of commercial driver trauma education program.
Commercial driver prehospital training is effective at improving the
quality of prehospital trauma care. Universal precautions and airway
protection were identified as areas of emphasis for future training.
Ghana 2, 3, 4
Geduld et al. [12] Expansion of commercial driver program to Madagascar. Twenty-six taxi
Drivers received training in a 1-d workshop.
Ghana 1, 2, 3
Husum et al. [18] Assessment of “village university” program and its effects on
prehospital car.
Cambodia and Northern Iraq 4
Murad et al. [19] Assessment of “village university” in Iraq. Mortality rate was lower for
patients initially managed by first responders.
Cambodia and Northern Iraq 4
Jayaraman et al. [20] Assessment layperson training program. Trainees demonstrate high
level of knowledge retention and confidently use their skills. Program
can be cost-effectively scaled up.
Uganda 4
Saghafinia et al. [16] Assessment of layperson training program. Prehospital training of 4834
first responders decreased PSS scores and land mine mortality.
Iran 2 4
Sun et al. [13] Assessment of a community-based emergency first aid responder
program.
South Africa 1, 2, 4
Themes: 1. initial needs assessment; 2. curriculum development; 3. adapting curriculum for low education levels; and 4. program evaluation.
j o u r n a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e74
The Emergency First Aid Responder (EFAR) systems were
implemented in Cape Town, South Africa [11]. The EFAR sys-
tem provided first-responder training to augment existing
prehospital emergency services through a 1-d course. Trained
first responders were organized into a community network
that works closely with existing Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) providers. EFAR systems are low costs and can easily
adapt to the needs of the target region [11].
3.3. Theme development
Qualitative thematic analysis of included manuscripts
revealed four themes central to layperson first-responder
trauma education initiatives in LMICs.
3.3.1. Needs assessment of existing infrastructure andlayperson trainingThe first theme identified emphasizes that an initial needs
assessment of a region’s existing EMS and trauma systems of
care be performed to focus the planned educational initiative.
Needs assessments were described for all six programs
analyzed. An effective needs assessment should determine
the burden of injury, current prehospital capabilities, and
baseline first aid knowledge of the target trainee population.
Elements of needs assessments included:
� Involvement of key stakeholders. An initial step in the execu-
tion of an effective needs assessment is the identification
and involvement of relevant key stakeholders. A key
stakeholder is defined as a person or entity whose involve-
ment would increase the effectiveness of training initiatives
through facilitating the development of the program,
appropriating the funds, or aiding in curriculum design
[3,12]. These can include leaders from all facets of the target
area and may include police and fire departments, local
government, national government, taxi operators, com-
mercial truck drivers, and physicians and nurses who care
for injured patients. The most effective training initiatives
are those with highly involved local stakeholders and those
where the local stakeholders identify first-responder edu-
cation as a priority [10e12].
Although local leaders play a critical role in facilitating
community involvement and buy-in, the perspective of the
lay public is important to consider in curriculum develop-
ment. In one report, community members identified
increased training of emergency personnel and layperson
training, when asked what should be done to improve the
health of their community [13]. A survey of community
members provides valuable insights into the target commu-
nity, although surveys can be limited by sampling bias [13].
� Burden of injury and EMS capabilities. Long transport times are
common in the care of injured patients in LMICs. Injured
patients in rural regions of LMICs often receive care from
village-based health care providers who commonly do not
have formal training in first aid [14]. In most LMICs, injured
patients are transported to the district hospital by private
vehicles, commercial trucks, taxis, public transportation,
and even on the backs of animals and not in ambulances by
EMS professionals [8e10,12]. Dangerous or impassable roads
make patient transportation even more difficult with one of
the most significant effects being increased travel time [9].
In remote areas, transport times can be as long as 8 h [8],
clearly outside of the “Golden Hour of Trauma” [15].
An important motive for the implementation of layperson
first-responder education initiatives derives from local injury
epidemiology. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the primary
cause of injury in LMICs. RTAs cause injuries that can be
effectively treated through the early application of first aid [3].
RTAs are particularly prevalent in LMICs [1]. Land mines
commonly injure children and farmers with 40% mortality in
Northern Iraq, Cambodia, and regions of Iran near the Iraqi
border [14,16]. As with injuries sustained during RTAs, land
mineerelated mortality can be decreased with the early
j o u rn a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e7 5
administration of first aid [14,16]. In regions with undeveloped
prehospital systems, the burden of first aid care falls on lay-
persons, making this population a key focus of first-responder
training initiatives.
� Baseline first aid knowledge. Determining trainees’ baseline
understanding of first aid principles and prior experience
using first aid skills guides curriculum development. Two
studies conducted background interviews of target
populations using convenience sampling and cross-
sectional surveys [5,10]. Both studies gathered trainee
demographics, prior first aid training of trainees, prior
experience providing first aid and transporting patients,
types of emergencies commonly encountered, frequency
and modes of intervention, and trainees’ current access to
first aid supplies. In a survey of commercial drivers in
Ghana, 87% reported having some level of involvement with
injured persons over the year previous to survey adminis-
tration, including the provision of first aid and/or trans-
portation of injured patients [5]. Follow-up interviews of the
target trainee population described the frequency of
trainee-initiated first aid provided to injured persons [5].
3.3.2. Curriculum development builds on existinginfrastructureThe second theme characteristic of layperson first-responder
trauma education programs was the development of training
curricula that acknowledge existing local infrastructure,
available resources, and needs. Curriculum development
should be a collaborative effort involving local stakeholders
and health care providers familiar with the unique challenges
in delivering care in the target region [5,10e12,17]. Key
stakeholders can identify particular first aid skills or mecha-
nisms of injury that can be included in the curriculum. For
example, in one report, birth asphyxia accounted for 25% of
neonatal deaths in Madagascar. At the request of the leaders
of the target population in Madagascar, aspects of maternal
care and delivery were included in their first-responder
training curriculum [12]. In another intervention, key stake-
holders in an area of South Africa identified interpersonal
violence as a common mechanism of injury, and a violent
injury workshop was included in the curriculum [11]. Early
course materials were derived from commonly-used publi-
cations Where There is No Doctor [6] and Basic First Aid [7]. New
manuals were published after initial attempts to implement
training programs were made and these were used as guides
for future programs [12,16]. Common elements of curriculum
development included:
� Program structure. The six training programs identified
included a combination of didactic lectures and hands-on
skills workshops and lasted 1 or 2 d [5,8e12]. Hands-on
learning was emphasized over didactic lectures, and real-
life case studies were used to frame case discussions. One
program used the train-the-trainer model, where a small
number of village health care providers received basic life
support, advanced life support, and advanced trauma life
support training and in turn, established and trained a
network of layperson first responders [8,18]. Course lengths
ranged from 6 h to 2 d, with most programs lasting 1 d
[5,8,10,12e14]. Program costs of $3 per student [5] and $27
per student [10] were reported for two of the programs; the
latter program included the cost of providing a first aid kit to
trainees. Minimizing program costs are essential to promote
sustainable initiatives [8,18].
� Program curricula. The six first-responder training programs
identified had very similar curricula. Subject matter was
oriented toward practical real-world scenarios and empha-
sized hands-on training, which is an effective means to
promote knowledge retention in layperson trainee pop-
ulations [8]. Basic first aid principles included in the training
programs were:
1. External hemorrhage control. External hemorrhage
control was identified as a life threat that laypersons
could treat after minimal training as a way to signifi-
cantly impact long-term mortality from injury.
Training included direct manual pressure, elevation of
bleeding extremity, application of pressure dressings,
and the use of universal precautions [5,8,10,12e14].
2. Airway management. The recovery position described
the most effective method of maintaining a patent
airway in unconscious patients by a layperson in the
absence of equipment [5,10,11]. Techniques such as
the chin life and jaw thrust were thought to be
impractical for long patient transport times and were
only included in one of the training programs [14].
3. Splinting. Techniques for immobilizing injured
extremities without formal equipment were taught in
four programs [5,10,12,13].
4. Spinal precautions. Principles of spinal immobilization
and patient conveyance while maintaining spinal
precautions were included in five programs. However,
advanced techniques involving the use of backboards
and cervical collars were generally thought to be
impractical for the layperson first responder
[5,10,12,17,19].
5. RTA scene management and basic patient triage.
Methods of categorizing injured patients based on an
initial survey and management of RTA scenes were
included in all programs [5,8,10,12e14]. Secondary
accidents are common during RTAs in LMICs because
of poor traffic management [5]. Training included
traffic direction and the basics of incident command.
6. Patient extrication. Layperson first responders
commonly cause secondary injuries to RTA victims
during extrication. Methods of extricating RTA victims
using locally available resources, such as car jacks and
pry bars, were taught [5,10,11].
Implementation of other curriculum elements is less
uniform among programs. First aid kits were included in only
two training programs because of resource limitations
[8,10,18,20]. However, postimplementation follow-up in-
terviews indicated the utility of including first aid kits was
primarily the impact on the use of body substance isolation
and universal precautions [5]. Cardiopulmonary resuscita-
tion (CPR) training was included in the trauma curriculum of
only one program, and active rewarming was taught by only
one program [14].
j o u r n a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e76
3.3.3. Training populations with little formal educationLow levels of literacy and health knowledge of laypersons
present significant challenges in developing trauma-training
programs for the layperson in LMICs [5]. The six training
programs included in this review addressed this challenge in a
similar manner. Local physicians and health care providers
taught courses in laypersons’ native language to reduce lan-
guage barriers and to build rapport with the trainee popula-
tion [5,8,10,12e14]. One initiative developed the following two
parallel first-responder programs: one for uneducated lay-
persons in which trainees learned basic first aid skills and a
second program directed toward trainees with formal educa-
tion, such as high schools students, that added advanced
training in CPR and hemorrhage control [14]. Teaching
methods that made no assumptions of literacy used didactic
lectures using visual diagrams primarily [5,8,10e12,17],
hands-onworkshops [8,11,12,17], and videos [5,10e12,17]. One
program specifically minimized didactic training to 1 h and
primarily used pictographic materials [10].
3.3.4. Program evaluationPostimplementation assessment of the training program is
critical to identify the effectiveness of the training initiative.
Several methods of program evaluation were reported.
The two most common methods were posttraining fund
of knowledge assessments and follow-up interviews
[5,10,13,17,20]. Posttraining assessments should test the same
knowledge as the postcourse knowledge assessment to allow
for comparison of results. Assessments were administered
immediately after completion of the program, and then after 6
mo, 1 y, and 2 y [10,11]. Follow-up interviews are also
commonly used to evaluate training programs and may pro-
vide a more accurate evaluation of the program because one-
on-one interviews circumvent literacy barriers encountered
when administering written assessments [5,10,13,17,20].
Similar to knowledge assessments, follow-up interviews are
usually administered immediately after training and then at
periodic time intervals.
Knowledge retention was high in the six programs
included in this study, suggesting effective curriculum design.
Follow-up interviews identified areas for curriculum
improvement. The most commonly used skills were external
hemorrhage control, splinting of fracture, and RTA scene
management [5,20]. Weaknesses in the use of universal pre-
cautions and overreliance on mouth-to-mouth CPR were
identified [5,20]. Trainees reported high utilization of first aid
kits in the programs that provided kits to participants [17,20].
Program monitoring of health outcomes of people in the
target geographic region is another key component of pro-
gram evaluation. Hospital diagnosis, treatment, and outcome
data were collected and analyzed for trauma patients identi-
fied by first responders or hospital records in two studies
[8,14]. Primary endpoints measured were physiological
severity score (PSS) and mortality. PSS is a simplified version
of the Revised Trauma Score developed for use in LMICs.
Layperson first-responder training programs have been
shown to decrease PSS [8,14,18] and mortality from traumatic
injuries [8,14,18,19]. Postimplementation analysis of unex-
pected deaths revealed that patients in circulatory shock with
an estimated probability of survival >50% who died from
exsanguinating torso injuries on the operating table were
hypothermic due to lack of prehospital hypothermia preven-
tion measures [18].
Surveys, interviews, and postintervention knowledge as-
sessments have several limitations. Self-reported outcomes
collected from follow-up interviews may overreport skill and
equipment use [5,10,13]. Selection bias may affect the general
applicability of training to a larger population because it is
possible that only the most motivated and interested in-
dividuals successfully complete the training programs [5,10].
The presence of unreported prehospital fatalities may affect
primary endpoints because mortality rates will not be accu-
rately captured [8,10,14,18,19]. The limitation to use PSS as a
primary endpoint involve questions related to interrater reli-
ability of the PSS and accuracy of the PSS, as PSS can vary
depending on the patient’s demographics and mechanism of
injury [10,14,18,19].
3.4. Leveraging technology for educational initiatives
Layperson first-responder training programs reduce mortality
from traumatic injuries [5]. Scaling of educational initiatives
in LMICs is difficult because of poor infrastructure and
geographic isolation of rural villages where training can be
most effective [9]. One method of disseminating training
materials and increasing basic first aid knowledge among
laypersons is by leveraging technology. TheNepal Community
Emergency Preparedness Group recognized the need for
layperson basic first aid training and created a website, which
hosts all training materials, enhances program visibility, and
facilitates communication and networking [9]. After a student
passes an online multiple choice examination, the student
proceeds to enroll in hands-on training at a local health care
delivery center. Although <1% of the population in Nepal has
Internet access, many health care centers provide Internet
access points for the online examination and learning mate-
rials [9]. Leveraging technology can be an effective and effi-
cient method of scaling educational initiatives in LMICs.
4. Limitations
This study is a systematic review of published peer-reviewed
articles describing implementation of programs for layperson
educational programs. This search did not extend to include
programs not described in the peer-reviewed literature, such
as governmental and nongovernmental programs. This may
have limited the breadth of the programs included in this
review.
5. Conclusions
First aid administered at the scene of injury by trained first
responders reduces trauma mortality and training programs
for laypersons improves first-responder capabilities in the
absence of formal prehospital trauma systems of care
[5,8,21,22]. Successful training programs involve key stake-
holders, identify and maximize local resources, adapt to
regional education levels, and respond to postimplementation
j o u rn a l o f s u r g i c a l r e s e a r c h x x x ( 2 0 1 4 ) 1e7 7
evaluations [5,8e11,14]. Educational platforms that leverage
technology to deliver content may facilitate implementation
of first-responder training initiatives in underresourced areas.
Acknowledgment
Authors’ contributions: T.E.C., C.T.R., S.J.S, N.I., and M.S.
conceived and designed the study. P.S. performed initial data
collection. T.E.C., C.T.R., and M.S. analyzed the data. T.E.C.
drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed substantially
to its revision.
CTR is supported by an Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality T32 training grant.
Disclosure
The authors reported no proprietary or commercial interest in
any product mentioned or concept discussed in this article.
r e f e r e n c e s
[1] Krug EG, Sharma GK, Lozano R. The global burden of injuries.AM J Public Health 2000;90:523.
[2] Mock CN, Jurkovich GJ, ni-Amon-Kotei D, Arreola-Risa C,Maier RV. Trauma mortality patterns in three nations atdifferent economic levels: implications for global traumasystem development. J Trauma 1998;44:804.
[3] Khorasani-Zavareh D, Khankeh HR, Mohammadi R,Laflamme L, Bikmoradi A, Haglund BJ. Post-crashmanagement of road traffic injury victims in Iran.Stakeholders’ views on current barriers and potentialfacilitators. BMC Emerg Med 2009;9:8.
[4] Mock CN, LJ, Goosen J, Joshipura M, Peden M. Guidelines foressential trauma care. Geneva: The World HealthOrganization; 2004.
[5] Mock CN, Tiska M, Adu-Ampofo M, Boakye G. Improvementsin prehospital trauma care in an African country with noformal emergency medical services. J Trauma 2002;53:90.
[6] Werner D. Where there is No doctor: a village health careHandbook. Palo Alto: The Hesperian Foundation; 1994.
[7] Varghese MM, Mohan P. When Someone is Hurt: a first aidguide for lay persons and community Workers. New Delhi:The Other Media Communication Private Ltd; 1998.
[8] Husum H, Gilbert M, Wisborg T. Training pre-hospitaltrauma care in low-income countries: the ‘Village University’experience. Med Teach 2003;25:142.
[9] Karmacharya PC, Singh GK, Singh MP, et al. Managingthe injury burden in Nepal. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2008;466:2343.
[10] Jayaraman S, Mabweijano JR, Lipnick MS, et al. Currentpatterns of prehospital trauma care in Kampala, Uganda andthe feasibility of a lay-first-responder training program.World J Surg 2009;33:2512.
[11] Sun JH, Wallis LA. The emergency first aid responder systemmodel: using community members to assist life-threateningemergencies in violent, developing areas of need. Emerg MedJ 2012;29:673.
[12] Geduld H, Wallis L. Taxi driver training in Madagascar: thefirst step in developing a functioning prehospital emergencycare system. Emerg Med J 2011;28:794.
[13] Sun JH, Wallis LA. The psychological effects of widespreademergencies and a first responder training course on aviolent, developing community. Afr J Emerg Med 2011;1:166.
[14] Nafissi N, Saghafinia M, Balochi K. Improving trauma care inrural Iran by training existing treatment chains. RuralRemote Health 2008;8:881.
[15] Cowley RA. The resuscitation and stabilization of majormultiple trauma patients in a trauma center environment.Clin Med 1976;83:16.
[16] Saghafinia M, Nafissi N, Asadollahi R. Effect of the ruralrescue system on reducing the mortality rate of landminevictims: a prospective study in Ilam Province, Iran. PrehospDisaster Med 2009;24:126.
[17] Tiska MA, Adu-Ampofo M, Boakye G, Tuuli L, Mock CN. Amodel of prehospital trauma training for lay persons devisedin Africa. Emerg Med J 2004;21:237.
[18] Husum H, Gilbert M, Wisborg T, Van Heng Y, Murad M. Ruralprehospital trauma systems improve trauma outcome inlow-income countries: a prospective study from North Iraqand Cambodia. J Trauma 2003;54:1188.
[19] Murad MK, Husum H. Trained lay first responders reducetrauma mortality: a controlled study of rural trauma in Iraq.Prehosp Disaster Med 2010;25:533.
[20] Jayaraman S, Mabweijano JR, Lipnick MS, et al. First thingsfirst: effectiveness and scalability of a basic prehospitaltrauma care program for lay first-responders in Kampala,Uganda. PLoS One 2009;4:e6955.
[21] Aghababian RV, Levy K, Moyer P, et al. Integration of UnitedStates emergency medicine concepts into emergencyservices in the New Independent States. Ann Emerg Med1995;26:368.
[22] Husum H. Effects of prehospital life support to war injured:the battle of Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Prehosp Disaster Med1999;14:75.