Design, implementation and long-term follow-up of a context specific trauma training course in Uganda: Lessons learned and future directions

Background: The Kampala Advanced Trauma Course (KATC) was developed in 2007 due to a locally identified need for an advanced trauma training curriculum for the resource-constrained setting. We describe the design, implementation and evaluation of the course. Methods: The course has been delivered to over 1,000 interns rotating through surgery at Mulago National Referral Hospital. Participants from 2013 to 2016 were surveyed after completion of the course. Results: The KATC was developed with local faculty and includes didactic and simulation modules. Over 50% of survey respondents reported feeling confident performing and teaching 7 of 11 course skills and felt the most relevant skill was airway management(30.2%). Participants felt least confident managing head trauma(26.4%). Lack of equipment(52.8%) was identified as the most common barrier to providing trauma care. Conclusions: Providers are confident with most skill sets after taking the KATC. Minimal dependence on instructors from high-income countries has kept the course sustainable and maximized local relevance.