title: A pilot study to evaluate the utility of live training (LIVEX) in the operational preparedness of UK military trauma teams.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the end of UK military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is essential that peacetime training of Defence Medical Services (DMS) trauma teams ensures appropriate future preparedness. A new model of pre-deployment training involves placement of formed military trauma teams into civilian trauma centres. This study evaluates the benefit of 'live training during an exercise period' (LIVEX) for DMS trauma teams.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of participants was conducted. Quantitative data were collected prior to the start and on the final day. Written reports were collected from the coordinators. Thematic analysis was used to identify emergent themes in a supplementary, qualitative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Each team comprised 13 personnel and results should be interpreted with knowledge of this small sample size. The response rate for both the pre-LIVEX and post-LIVEX questionnaire was 100%. By the end of the week, 89% of participants (n=23) stated LIVEX was an 'appropriate or very appropriate' way of preparing for an operational role compared with 40% (n=9) before the exercise (p<0.01). However, completing LIVEX made no difference to participants' personal perception of their own operational preparedness. Thematic analysis suggested greater training benefit for more junior members of the team; from Regulars and Reservists training together; and from two-way exchange of information between DMS and National Health Service medical staffs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Completing LIVEX made no statistically significant difference to participants' personal perception of their own operational preparedness, but the perception of LIVEX as an appropriate training platform improved significantly after conducting the training exercise.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Military Emergency Medicine, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6143-0421
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice & Primary Care, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: R D J
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Withnall
authors.affiliation: Department of Military Surgery and Trauma, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Rickard
authors.affiliation: Department of Military Nursing, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lamb
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sitch
authors.affiliation: Medical Director Defence Medical Services, Medical Directorate, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hodgetts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education*; D008888:Military Nursing / Q000193:education*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D009726:Nurses; D010820:Physicians; D010865:Pilot Projects; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013663:Teaching; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY MEDICINE; EDUCATION & TRAINING (see Medical Education & Training); MEDICAL EDUCATION & TRAINING