Delivering trauma mastery with an international trauma masters

Trauma is a global problem. The goal of optimising multidisciplinary trauma care through speciality education is a challenge. No single pathway exists to educate care providers in trauma knowledge, management and skills. Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) devised an online electronic learning (e-learning) Master's degree (MSc) in Trauma Sciences in 2011. E-learning is increasingly popular however low progression rates question effectiveness. The further post-graduate impact is unknown. Our goal was to establish whether this program is a successful method of delivering multidisciplinary trauma education to an international community. We hypothesized that graduating students make a global impact in trauma care, education and research.

The Trauma Sciences MSc programs launched in 2011. Electronic surveys were distributed worldwide to students who successfully completed the program between 2013-2016. Graduation rates, degree/qualification awarded, clinical involvement in trauma management, presentation of MSc work, academic progression and roles in trauma education were explored. Supporting demographics were extracted from the QMUL student database.

A total of 176 students, of 29 nationalities, enrolled in the two year course between 2011 and 2014. Clinical backgrounds included multi-speciality physicians (83.5%), nurses (9.6%) and paramedics (6.8%). 119 (67.6%) graduated within the study period, 108 (60.8%) with the full masters award. Completion was independent of clinical background (p = 0.20) and age (p = 0.99). Highest completion rates were seen in students from Australia and New Zealand, Asia and Europe (p = 0.03). All survey responders were currently providing regular clinical care to trauma patients. 73% (n = 36) were delivering trauma education, many at national or international level. 49% (n = 24) had presented work from the MSc and 23% (n = 11) published their dissertation.12% (n = 6) subsequently enrolled in a PhD program.

Compared with other e-learning courses this Masters program has an enviable completion rate. Graduates go on to make an international multidisciplinary impact with diverse roles in clinical management, research and trauma education. This programme provides a robust trauma education curriculum. The QMUL Trauma Sciences MSc program is an excellent resource for clinicians participating in any form of trauma care or who wish to augment sub-speciality training in trauma.