Establishing a trauma registry in Bhutan: needs and process

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Systems Research
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Globally, trauma imposes a significant and escalating burden of disease.
• Many healthcare systems lack adequate metrics for guiding trauma care development, policy, and management.
• Effective trauma care requires robust data for informed decision-making and resource allocation.

Observation:

• This study addresses the need for enhanced trauma-related metrics within Bhutan's healthcare system.
• It details the development process of a trauma registry at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital.
• The establishment of this registry is a direct response to identified gaps in trauma data collection and utilization.

Findings:

• A critical need for improved trauma metrics was identified in Bhutan.
• A comprehensive trauma registry was successfully established at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital.
• The development process involved understanding the local health system and securing broad institutional support.

Implications:

• Trauma registries are vital for health systems to adapt to evolving disease burdens.
• Successful registry implementation necessitates a deep understanding of the specific health system context.
• Broad institutional support is a key determinant for the sustainability and effectiveness of trauma registries.