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Cognitive knowledge decline after Advanced Trauma Life Support courses
A Blumenfeld1, R Ben Abraham, M Stein
1Israel Defense Force, Medical Corps, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University.
The Journal of Trauma
|April 7, 1998
Summary
Physicians experience significant knowledge loss after the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program. Refresher courses are recommended between 3-4 years, especially for non-surgeons, to maintain critical trauma care skills.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Trauma Care
- Knowledge Retention
Background:
- The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program is crucial for emergency medical care.
- Assessing long-term knowledge retention in ATLS graduates is vital for patient safety.
- Understanding cognitive decline patterns informs effective medical training strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate cognitive knowledge decline in ATLS program graduates in Israel.
- To compare knowledge decay rates between surgeons and non-surgeons.
- To determine optimal timing for ATLS refresher courses.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study analyzing multiple-choice test results of 220 ATLS graduates.
- Comparison of post-course scores with scores obtained 3-60 months after completion.
- Survival analysis statistical model to assess knowledge decline patterns and group differences.
Main Results:
- A significant decline in cognitive knowledge was observed over time among ATLS graduates.
- Knowledge decline was more pronounced in the non-surgical group compared to surgeons.
- Approximately 50% of physicians experienced a 20% knowledge loss around 180 weeks post-course.
Conclusions:
- ATLS-trained physicians lose substantial cognitive knowledge within 3.5 years.
- Surgeons demonstrate better long-term knowledge retention than non-surgeons.
- Optimal timing for ATLS refresher courses is suggested between 3 and 4 years after the initial training.