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Interactive Computer-Aided Training of Emergency Care Tactics: An Experimental Study with Medical Students

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Matti A. K. Mattila  and
Timo Jama
Matti A. K. Mattila*
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland
Timo Jama
Affiliation:
Medical Student, Kuopio University, Kuopio, Finland
*
Associate Professor Puolukkatie 11 FIN-70280 Kuopio, Finland
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Abstract

Introduction:

It is important to know which level of tactical preparedness is reached after completing lectures and training included in a medical curriculum. A computer-based interactive programme aimed for tactical training of emergency care tactics at the scene (Matimed,™ Matimed Ltd, Kuopio, Finland) was used in testing the skills of 20 medical students.

Methods:

In this standardised test, every student first received guided introduction on the technical use of the programme. The test included four severely injured victims. The traumas used were hepatic rupture, flail chest, haemothorax, and femoral fracture. The students were tested in making decisions on the priority of care and transportation and in keeping the patients alive with appropriate emergency care until they were transported to a trauma centre.

Results:

Only five of20 (25%) succeeded in this task, 50% lost one victim and 25% lost two. The results show that the tactical preparedness of medical students is far from what is presumed. A more detailed analysis shows serious deficiencies in decision-making, priority order of actions, and in the use of available resources.

Conclusion:

This type of interactive computer-aided training of tactics appropriately supplements theoretical lectures, and partially fills the need for practical training.

Keywords

computer-aided trainingdecision makingdisaster medicineevaluation of preparednessinteractive softwareprehospital carepreparednesspriority ordertactical readinesstacticstriage
Type
Original Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , September 1997 , pp. 59 - 63
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1997

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