First
 
Optimising the power of the Internet to teach, train and certify trauma specialists. Consummating a partnership R&D project, pairing a large health care provider and a not-for-profit to improve outcomes for trauma patients.
The client:
This joint project was initiated under a partnership between the Victorian Trauma Foundation (VTF) and auspice organisation, Barwon Health. The VTF is a not-for-profit organisation committed to saving and improving lives through research and development. Barwon Health is Victoria’s largest regional health care provider, operating the public hospitals and health care services in Geelong and the surrounding regions.
The idea:
Together, the VTF and Barwon Health imagined a web-based teaching and assessment program for the Victorian State Trauma System.
The trigger:
The proposal for this project was developed in response to the findings of a 1998 consultative report that examined issues related to road traffic fatalities. With funding secured via the VTF, the project control group set about developing a system to improve outcomes for trauma victims.
The journey:
The project managers sought a highly-skilled software and website developer to ensure their concept was translated into a workable and accessible solution.
DDG was selected as the development partner and joined the project group in establishing the objectives and parameters for the development. The solution had to consider existing trauma management principles and protocols, and deliver clear, accessible communication of these to medical staff involved in trauma throughout the state.
Being wholly interactive, the success of the application would rely on its clarity, relevance, accuracy and level of engagement.
DDG worked with the project stakeholders to firstly understand their vision for the project. DDG’s software designers then worked to flesh out potential problems and conceptualise functionality beyond the original vision that would result in a highly usable and refined functional solution.
The solution:
FIRST (Fundamental Initial Resuscitation of Severe Trauma) is the web-based solution developed by DDG to meet the project goals.
The application solution delivers against the guiding principles of the project:
- communication of the fundamental principles and protocols for trauma resuscitation right across the
- system by means of interactive clinical scenarios
- an annual re-certification program utilising the internet for distance education
- need to be consistent with and complementary to the EMST (Early Management of Severe Trauma) principles and EMST training.
The main technical features of FIRST are:
- A scenario editing tool which allows easy authoring of trauma scenarios and related multiple-choice type questions. Content authors can readily set-up pages that walk through various trauma scenarios, provide multimedia content and present various styles of question.
- Answers to scenario questions are stored in the database and integrate with the reporting engine for detailed analysis. Reports are provided in Microsoft Excel format. A number of macros utilising advanced Excel functionality were developed to analyse and identify participant response patterns. Areas of knowledge weakness can then inform future education and professional development programs.
The benefits – for Barwon Health / VTF / community:
- Improved health outcomes for trauma victims achieved via regular, effective training of paramedics, nurses and doctors.
- Streamlined education and professional development for specialist staff, made available through the Internet 24/7 – convenient to all staff, including those working unusual shifts
- Measurable results to inform future development directions
- A consistent, industry-wide approach to teaching and learning, even across multiple remote sites
- Value-for-money development that delivers against all parameters
- Utilises low-cost web-based communication to share knowledge across sites
The results so far:
An independent specialist evaluation of FIRST has found it is an innovative, on-line scenario-based program that aims to complement other trauma training programs for medical practitioners in Victoria.
At the time of evaluation, 357 medical officers had logged onto the site and 247 successfully completed all scenarios. There was a high level of satisfaction with the program, with ninety-one per cent of participants agreeing that the course provided valuable clinical knowledge.
“The project has met all of the agreed outcomes in the project plan and will come in slightly under budget.” Dr Charlie Corke, Project Manager.
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