The Operational Medicine Institute was engaged via Frontier Medical and AECOM to assist in the development and delivery of a course of instruction focusing on combat trauma and medical ethics. The short course was a vital component of a broader educational initiative ongoing in Juba, South Sudan.
The course of instruction utilized an outcomes based methodology with tiered training strategies. During the first days, brief didactic sessions were coupled with equipment familirization and low stress practical application.
Dr. Callaway reviews the basics of ATLS and TCCC in patient assessment.
The operational medicine didactic sections focused on blast injuries, ballistics, desert survival, civil military coordination, military ethics, damage control resuscitation and trauma system development.
Dr. David Callaway presents current management strategies for blast injuries and mass casualty events to students in Juba, South Sudan.
The team complimented morning didactic sessions with afternoon practical application sessions. The practical sessions focused on escalting stress innoculation and complex decision making. Students were tested on their ability to apply these skills on field expedient wound simulators and ultimately on multiple live role models.
Tiered skill training with stress inoculation. Familiarization progresses to focused practical application. Live role model scenarios with external stressors as culminating exercise.
The training concluded with a series of train the trainer sessions. The cadre assigned students to conduct pratical application training sessions with no advance warning. Students were assessed by the OMI lead instructor as well as the fellow students. The evolutions were video taped and played back immediately on completion of the session in order to provide focused feedback.
Dr. Gawar delivers an impromptu student led training session on wound packing.
The week concluded with little fanfare, but with great lessons learned by all involved. Importantly, new friendships were established and professional relationships strengthened- the bonds that can only be built through shared, intense experience.
Two new colleagues and friends bond over lunch of goat and maize.