title: Demand for specialised training for the obese trauma patient: National ATLS expert group survey results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The growing incidence of obesity in Western populations continues to place new stressors on health systems. Obese trauma patients present particular challenges across the entirety of the patient care pathway, and are at risk of higher lengths of stay, morbidity, and mortality. This study sought to assess a national group of trauma experts' opinions and knowledge regarding the management of obese trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was circulated to a trauma training providers and national steering committee members at a UK national Advance Trauma Life Support meeting. Demographic, knowledge, and opinion data was collected and collated for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  109 questionnaires were returned (73% response rate). Broad agreement was reached that obese trauma patients were more challenging to manage (96.2% agreement) and suffered worse outcomes (89.9%). Only 22.2% felt their hospitals possessed appropriate resources to facilitate management. Up to a third of respondents had personally witnesses errors in care due to patient obesity. 90% believed specialist training for obese trauma could improve care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is broad consensus amongst UK trauma providers that obese trauma patients are at risk of poorer outcomes and errors in care. Knowledge and preparedness of centres to manage these patients is variable. There was broad consensus that specialist training for the management of obese trauma patients may improve outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, 10th Floor QEQM, South Wharf Rd, Paddington, W2 1NY, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: p.pucher@imperial.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Pucher
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 6YD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lulu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tanno
authors.affiliation: Wessex Foundation School, Southern House, Otterbourne, Hampshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kalon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hewage
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St. Mary's Hospital, 10th Floor QEQM, South Wharf Rd, Paddington, W2 1NY, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N Mark
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bagnall
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D032921:Consensus; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D018579:Patient Selection; D010820:Physicians; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: ATLS; Bariatric; Obesity; Pre-hospital; Training