Interactive computer-aided training of emergency care tactics: an experimental study with medical students.

INTRODUCTION: It is important to know which level of tactical preparedness is reached after completing lectures and training included in a medical curriculum. A computer-based interactive programme aimed for tactical training of emergency care tactics at the scene (Matimed, Matimed Ltd, Kuopio, Finland) was used in testing the skills of 20 medical students. METHOD: In this standardised test, every student first received guided introduction on the technical use of the programme. The test included four severely injured victims. The traumas used were hepatic rupture, flail chest, haemothorax, and femoral fracture. The students were tested in making decisions on the priority of care and transportation and in keeping the patients alive with appropriate emergency care until they were transported to a trauma centre. RESULTS: Only five of 20 (25%) succeeded in this task, 50% lost one victim and 25% lost two. The results show that the tactical preparedness of medical students is far from what is presumed. A more detailed analysis shows serious deficiencies in decision-making, priority order of actions, and in the use of available resources. CONCLUSIONS: This type of interactive computer-aided training of tactics appropriately supplements theoretical lectures, and partially fills the need for practical training.