Trauma base knowledge and the effect of the trauma evaluation and management program among senior medical students in seven countries

Background. we compared base trauma knowledge and the impact of the Trauma Evaluation and Management (TEAM) program among senior medical students in seven countries. Methods. We compared pre- and post-TEAM multiple choice question, scores of fourth-year students in Jamaica (n = 32), Trinidad (n 32), Costa Rica (n = 64), Australia (n 35), United Arab Emirates (n = 68), Toronto (n = 29) and Pennsylvania (n = 34). Means and degree of improvement were compared by analysis of variance (p < 0.05 for statistical significance). Percentage pass (based on 70% or 60% pass mark), student's perception of instruction level, and grading of TEAM (based on the percentage of students grading 1-5 for each category) were assessed by chi(2) analysis. Results. Only 31.4% of students achieved the borderline pass mark of 60%, and 5.4% achieved a clear pass mark of 70%. The performance before and after TEAM was quite variable among medical schools. A grade of >= 4 was assigned by 74% to 100% for objectives, knowledge improvement, satisfaction, and recommending TEAM for the curriculum. TEAM was rated "just right" by 70.3% to 92.7%, "too simple" by 1.6% to 21.6%, and "too advanced" by 3.3% to 13.5% of students. Conclusion. Base trauma knowledge in these students, though variable, was generally very low and improved with TEAM. Our data suggest a need for greater undergraduate emphasis in trauma education.