I have just got back from Melbourne, where I attended the new EMERGENCY TRAUMA MANAGEMENT course. I was deadset keen to attend this, as I intuitively feel that organisers Dr Amit Maini  (EDTCC.com) & Dr Andy Buck (EDexam.com.au) are seeking to bring the same level of FOAMed goodness to Emergency medicine as I am via the RURAL MEDICINE MASTERCLASS. Over and above that, the new ETM Course takes attendees to places that aren;t covered on the usual ‘merit badge’ courses. I am a Course Director for EMST-ATLS and have become increasingly frustrated that the College of Surgeons content does not meet the needs of modern trauma teams.

A full report will be forthcoming shortly via Dr Jeram Hyde (@CriticalHabits), but for me highlights included :

• a credible and experienced Faculty who facilitated short lectures and hands on skill sessions
• use of high rep, low fidelity simulation involving team work
• coverage of relevant FOAMed topics inc NODESAT apnoeic diffusion oxygenation, Vortex cognitive aid, airway planning & checklists, controversies around C spine management, ED thoracotomy. Heck, we even touched on REBOA…
• excellent location and catering, plus a chance to have drinks on the first night.

Bottomline? This is an excellent course for registrars in EM, ICU & anaesthesia who have to manage trauma. It will also be highly relevant to experienced rural doctors and emergency physicians looking for a refresher. The use of early involvement in sim and graded layering of escalating scenarios from simple to complex was a welcome change to the EMST-ATLS courses on which I instruct.

I was delighted to be invited to the instructors dinner and be invited to instruct on ETM in the future.

There’s lots more to tell and I am sure Jeram will cover this in due course. But for the meanwhile have a listen to a quick 25 min podcast between Andy Buck and myself on the genesis of ETM and future plans. Sadly Amit was too shy to join us – I hope to tempt the little fella to Kangaroo Island, but have learned that my idle mention of the KI tiger snake was not well received …

On to the podcast :

or DOWNLOAD HERE