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Bystander Trauma Care training in Iowa.
T D Peterson1, S Noland, D W Russell
1Iowa Methodist Medical Center, Des Moines, USA. tdpeterson@pol.net
Prehospital Emergency Care
|July 29, 1999
Summary
Citizen training in bystander trauma care significantly improves willingness to assist at motor vehicle crashes. This knowledge and positive impact are retained six months post-training, enhancing emergency response capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Care Education
Background:
- The Iowa Bystander Trauma Care program was developed to equip citizens with skills for initial care at motor vehicle crash scenes.
- Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of traumatic injury, necessitating effective pre-hospital interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Iowa Bystander Trauma Care program.
- To assess the impact of bystander training on participants' willingness to assist and knowledge of trauma care procedures.
Main Methods:
- The program utilized the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's curriculum, with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) as instructors.
- A pre- and post-training questionnaire, including a six-month follow-up, assessed participant knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to help.
Main Results:
- Over 2,000 citizens were trained by 120 EMT instructors across 17 Iowa counties.
- Participants demonstrated increased willingness to assist (p < 0.001) and improved understanding of crash scene protocols and 911 information prioritization (p < 0.05) immediately after training.
- Knowledge retention was evident six months post-training.
Conclusions:
- Citizens actively volunteered for the Bystander Trauma Care training.
- The program successfully trained citizens to recognize and provide initial care for acutely injured individuals.
- Positive training outcomes, including knowledge and willingness to act, were sustained over time.