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Demand for specialised training for the obese trauma patient: National ATLS expert group survey results

Demand for specialised training for the obese trauma patient: National ATLS expert group survey results
Demand for specialised training for the obese trauma patient: National ATLS expert group survey results

Background

The growing incidence of obesity in Western populations continues to place new stressors on health systems. Obese trauma patients present particular challenges across the entirety of the patient care pathway, and are at risk of higher lengths of stay, morbidity, and mortality. This study sought to assess a national group of trauma experts' opinions and knowledge regarding the management of obese trauma.


Methods

A questionnaire was circulated to a trauma training providers and national steering committee members at a UK national Advance Trauma Life Support meeting. Demographic, knowledge, and opinion data was collected and collated for analysis.


Results

109 questionnaires were returned (73% response rate). Broad agreement was reached that obese trauma patients were more challenging to manage (96.2% agreement) and suffered worse outcomes (89.9%). Only 22.2% felt their hospitals possessed appropriate resources to facilitate management. Up to a third of respondents had personally witnesses errors in care due to patient obesity. 90% believed specialist training for obese trauma could improve care.


Discussion

There is broad consensus amongst UK trauma providers that obese trauma patients are at risk of poorer outcomes and errors in care. Knowledge and preparedness of centres to manage these patients is variable. There was broad consensus that specialist training for the management of obese trauma patients may improve outcomes.
0020-1383
1058-1062
Pucher, Philip H.
6b51dabb-77c2-40c6-bfa7-1daa3f82c0a6
Tanno, Lulu
b1e0f618-9918-428a-88c7-52846c2b8a64
Hewage, Kalon
1d205798-d092-4d08-9b26-bd54683a2ca8
Bagnall, N. Marj
a7dca47a-89a2-43d4-aba6-3a24bf107b1a
Pucher, Philip H.
6b51dabb-77c2-40c6-bfa7-1daa3f82c0a6
Tanno, Lulu
b1e0f618-9918-428a-88c7-52846c2b8a64
Hewage, Kalon
1d205798-d092-4d08-9b26-bd54683a2ca8
Bagnall, N. Marj
a7dca47a-89a2-43d4-aba6-3a24bf107b1a

Pucher, Philip H., Tanno, Lulu, Hewage, Kalon and Bagnall, N. Marj (2017) Demand for specialised training for the obese trauma patient: National ATLS expert group survey results. Injury, 48 (5), 1058-1062. (doi:10.1016/j.injury.2017.02.027).

Record type: Article

Abstract


Background

The growing incidence of obesity in Western populations continues to place new stressors on health systems. Obese trauma patients present particular challenges across the entirety of the patient care pathway, and are at risk of higher lengths of stay, morbidity, and mortality. This study sought to assess a national group of trauma experts' opinions and knowledge regarding the management of obese trauma.


Methods

A questionnaire was circulated to a trauma training providers and national steering committee members at a UK national Advance Trauma Life Support meeting. Demographic, knowledge, and opinion data was collected and collated for analysis.


Results

109 questionnaires were returned (73% response rate). Broad agreement was reached that obese trauma patients were more challenging to manage (96.2% agreement) and suffered worse outcomes (89.9%). Only 22.2% felt their hospitals possessed appropriate resources to facilitate management. Up to a third of respondents had personally witnesses errors in care due to patient obesity. 90% believed specialist training for obese trauma could improve care.


Discussion

There is broad consensus amongst UK trauma providers that obese trauma patients are at risk of poorer outcomes and errors in care. Knowledge and preparedness of centres to manage these patients is variable. There was broad consensus that specialist training for the management of obese trauma patients may improve outcomes.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 24 February 2017
Published date: May 2017

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 427400
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/427400
ISSN: 0020-1383
PURE UUID: 1c585d6e-ead7-4f95-a249-2349c54ba5da

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 15 Jan 2019 17:30
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 23:43

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Contributors

Author: Philip H. Pucher
Author: Lulu Tanno
Author: Kalon Hewage
Author: N. Marj Bagnall

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