Introducing PTC to a new country
The most essential requirement for introducing PTC to a new country is a voluntary request from the host country; this usual originates from a key anaesthetic, surgical or other medical body.
A sustainable PTC training programme needs certain key components:
- Buy-in from key stakeholders such as Government organizations, Ministries of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives, and a cross speciality clinical representation.
- A motivated ‘Link’ person, usually a top level Clinician, who can liaise between these key stakeholders
The Assessment Visit, Inaugural Course & Country Committee
An assessment visit by key senior PTC Instructors to meet key stakeholders has shown to be of great benefit, and is used to iron out local logistic and possible political details, and to ensure full agreement and co-operation at all levels.
Successful and sustainable PTC courses have had at their core a well led and functioning Country PTC Committee. This is usually set up at the end of an initial overseas led inaugural course. This committee has as its Chair a well respected figure head, either political, religious or medical, and a person who has the respect of all. The ‘Link’ person then works with this committee, to plan a roll out programme for the region or country in question.
Practical Considerations
Course Materials
The PTC course material must be presented in the lanugage of the host country, unless English is well understood and acceptable. You may therefore need to check whether translation of materials is required – from our experience, this takes approximately six to nine months (and must be completed prior to the first course).
Whom to invite?
Primary Trauma Care is intended to reach all areas of a country. The instructors on the inaugural course should be the most senior surgeons, anaethetists and emergency medicine physicians in the area. Unless top level medical representatives catch the vision and the potential of Primary Trauma Care, it will not disseminate to peripheral hospitals.
If the Anaesthetic Society of a country requests a course it is essential that their surgical counterparts are invited to participate and assist in the running and structuring of the course. It is also essential to involve and gain the support of organisations such as the Local or National Ministry of Health in the setting up of the inaugural course.
Host countries should understand the following:
- The PTC course is open to all; anyone with a legitimate professional in trauma may participate.
- Initial courses should be aimed at doctors and other senior health professionals. Once PTC is established in a country, other health professionals can be trained, e.g. registered nurses, health officers, ambulance paramedics and police officers.
- The key objective is that the course is taught at the district general hospital level and can then be extended to rural areas.
Further practical considerations are addressed on the ‘Organise a PTC course’ page.
Contact us
If, in the light of the above information, you are interested in setting up PTC in your country or region, we would be pleased to hear from you! Please contact us discuss the matter further.