Use of Simulation as a Teaching Tool for Trauma Education and Skills Training in Low-Middle Income Countries- a Multimodal Approach to a Case Series.

Introduction: Global Emergency Care Skills (GECS), an Irish award-winning charity run by emergency medicine physicians, has recently delivered trauma training in rural Kenya, Lusaka, Zambia, and Gaborone, Botswana. Throughout the period from November 2022 to November 2024, simulation has been used as a reliable and effective tool for educational purposes. Methods: In-person training was delivered to participants, including doctors, nurses, medical officers, and paramedics. The training involved a structured, simulation-based training program. Scenarios used were structured to represent resource and population-appropriate real-life trauma situations. This allowed participants to practice clinical skills in a safe, controlled environment. Pre- and post-training assessments measured knowledge retention, skill application, and confidence levels. Results: A significant improvement was observed in knowledge scores, which increased from pre-training to the post training cohort. Participants reported a rise in confidence when managing trauma cases. Feedback indicated they found the simulation exercises relevant and effective in reinforcing their clinical skills. Notably, simulations facilitated team dynamics and communication among participants, which are crucial in trauma care settings. Conclusion: The use of simulation as a teaching tool in these courses run by GECS proved to be highly effective in enhancing the knowledge base, skill level, and confidence of healthcare providers in rural Kenya, Lusaka, and Gaborone. This case series underscores the value of simulation-based education in preparing clinical staff for real-world challenges in trauma care, promoting better patient outcomes in resource-limited settings. Future studies we hope to explore would include long-term retention of skills and the impact of the introduction of simulation training.