Does participation in the European Trauma Course lead to new behaviours and organisational change? A Portuguese experience

Background: Medical educational courses can be successful from an immediate feedback perspective but not lead to new behaviour or organisational changes in the workplace. The aim of this study was to assess the self-perceived impact of the European Trauma Course (ETC) on Reanima trainees’ behaviour and organisational change. Methods: A 40-item questionnaire based on Holton's evaluation model was used to evaluate the candidate's perceptions. The results were analysed with descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using nonparametric tests with α = 0.05. Results: Out of 295 participants, 126 responded to the survey. Of these, 94% affirmed that the ETC modified their approach to trauma patients, and 71.4% described a change in their behaviour. Postcourse responders changed their behaviour in their initial approach to trauma care in the nontechnical skills of communication, prioritisation and teamwork. Being an ETC instructor strongly influenced the acquisition of new material, and this group was able to implement changes in attitudes. Individuals with no previous trauma course experience identified lack of self-efficacy as a significant obstacle to introducing new work-based learning. In contrast, responders with ATLS training noted a lack of ETC colleagues as the main impediment for moving from conceptualisation to experimentation in the workplace. Conclusions: Participation in the ETC led to behavioural changes in the workplace. However, the ability to influence others and bring about wider organisational changes was more difficult to achieve. Major factors were the status of the person, their experience and self-efficacy. National organisational impact was obtained, which went far beyond our aspirations in acknowledging change in individual daily practice. Future research studies will include the effect of implementing the ETC methodology on the outcome of trauma patients

The European Trauma Course: Transforming systems through training

The European Trauma Course (ETC) exemplifies an innovative approach to multispecialty trauma education. This initiative was started as a collaborative effort among the European Society for Emergency Medicine, the European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery, and the European Society of Anaesthesiology under the auspices of the European Resuscitation Council. With the robust support of these societies, the project has evolved into the independent European Trauma Course Organisation. Over the past 15 years, the ETC has transcended traditional training by integrating team dynamics and non-technical skills into a scenario-based simulation course, helping to shape trauma care practice and education. A distinctive feature of the ETC is its training of doctors and allied healthcare professionals, fostering a collaborative and holistic approach to trauma care. The ETC stands out for its unique team-teaching approach, which has gained widespread recognition as the standard for in-hospital trauma care training not only in Europe but also beyond. Since its inception ETC has expanded geographically from Finland to Sudan and from Brazil to the Emirates, training nearly 20,000 healthcare professionals and shaping trauma care practice and education across 25 countries. Experiencing exponential growth, the ETC continues to evolve, reflecting its unmet demand in trauma team education. This review examines the evolution of the ETC, its innovative team-teaching methodology, national implementation strategies, current status, and future challenges. It highlights its impact on trauma care, team training, and the effect on other life support courses in various countrie