title: PHTLS ® (Prehospital Trauma Life Support) provider courses in Germany - who takes part and what do participants think about prehospital trauma care training?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to examine PHTLS Provider courses in Germany and to proof the assumption that formation of physicians and paramedics in prehospital trauma care can be optimized.
  
  
  METHODS
  PHTLS participants were asked to fill out standardized questionnaires during their course preparation and directly after the course. There were some open questions regarding their professional background and closed questions concerning PHTLS itself. Further questions were to be answered on an analog scale in order to quantify subjective impressions of confidence, knowledge and also to describe individual levels of education and training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  247 questionnaires could be analyzed. Physicians noted significant (p < 0.001) more deficits in their professional training than paramedics. 80% of the paramedics affirmed to have had adequate training with respect to prehospital trauma care, all physicians claimed not to have had sufficient training for prehospital trauma care situations at Medical School. Physicians were statistically most significant dissatisfied then paramedics (p < 0.001). While most participants gave positive feedback, anesthetists were less convinced of PHTLS (p = 0.005), didn't benefit as much as the rest (p = 0.004) and stated more often, that the course was of less value for their daily work (p = 0.03). After the course confidence increased remarkably and reached higher rates than before the course (p < 0.001). After PHTLS both groups showed similar ratings concerning the course concept indicating that PHTLS could equalize some training deficits and help to gain confidence and assurance in prehospital trauma situations. 90% of the paramedics and 100% of the physicians would recommend PHTLS. Physicians and especially anesthetists revised their opinions with regard to providing PHTLS at Medical School after having taken part in a PHTLS course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation of PHTLS courses in Germany indicates the necessity for special prehospital trauma care training. Paramedics and physicians criticize deficits in their professional training, which can be compensated by PHTLS. With respect to relevant items like confidence and knowledge PHTLS leads to a statistically significant increase in ratings on a visual analogue scale. PHTLS should be integrated into the curriculum at Medical School.
authors: Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery - Clinic Mittelbaden, Dr. Rumpf Weg 7D 76530 Baden Baden, Germany ; PHTLS Research Group Europe (PERG), Im Schlangengarten 52, D 76877 Offenbach/Queich, Germany.
authors: Christian B
authors: CB
authors: Frank
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery - BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, D 67071 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany ; PHTLS Research Group Europe (PERG), Im Schlangengarten 52, D 76877 Offenbach/Queich, Germany.
authors: Christoph G
authors: CG
authors: Wölfl
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery - BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, D 67071 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
authors: Aidan
authors: A
authors: Hogan
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery - BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, D 67071 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
authors: Arnold J
authors: AJ
authors: Suda
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery - BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, D 67071 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Gühring
authors: German Association of Emergency Medical Technician (DBRD), Im Schlangengarten 52, D 76877 Offenbach/Queich, Germany ; PHTLS Research Group Europe (PERG), Im Schlangengarten 52, D 76877 Offenbach/Queich, Germany.
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Gliwitzky
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery - BG Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, D 67071 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany ; PHTLS Research Group Europe (PERG), Im Schlangengarten 52, D 76877 Offenbach/Queich, Germany.
authors: Matthias
authors: M
authors: Münzberg
keywords: Interprofessional team training; PHTLS; Professional formation; Trauma care