Purpose Simulation-based training is widely used in postgraduate medical education, particularly for the management of polytrauma patients. Alongside simulation, Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) courses provide a standardized framework for trauma care training. However, limited data exist on how resident physicians perceive these educational approaches and how they are integrated into routine trauma bay practice. This survey aimed to describe the availability and structure of trauma bay training among resident physicians and to assess their perceptions of ATLS® courses and simulation-based training. Methods A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among resident physicians involved in trauma bay care in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. A self-developed questionnaire assessed training exposure, perceived preparedness, and selected organizational aspects of trauma bay management across specialties and training levels. Results A total of 124 participants completed the survey. Participation in ATLS® courses or trauma bay simulation training was significantly associated with hospital type (p = 0.033) and training level (p = 0.002). Participants who had attended ATLS® courses reported higher self-reported safety in trauma bay management compared with those without such training (mean 3.67 vs. 2.91, p = 0.0024). Fewer than half of respondents reported access to regular trauma bay simulation training. Functional identification badges were most commonly used in university hospitals and were perceived positively by 63.0% of participants. Supervisory support was generally rated as good or very good, while unprofessional communication was reported by a minority of respondents and most often described as occurring rarely. Conclusions This survey highlights heterogeneity in trauma bay training structures and perceived preparedness among resident physicians across different hospital settings. Participation in ATLS® courses and simulation-based training was reported by participants to be associated with higher self-reported safety, while access to regular training varied by institutional context. These findings provide descriptive data that may inform future discussions on the organization and delivery of postgraduate trauma education.

Advancing trauma training: a survey study on simulation training and trauma bay management for resident doctors

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年5月8日

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Lina Schreiber,
Henrik Teuber,
Hans-Christoph Pape,
Christiane Barthel

摘要

Purpose

Simulation-based training is widely used in postgraduate medical education, particularly for the management of polytrauma patients. Alongside simulation, Advanced Trauma Life Support^® (ATLS^®) courses provide a standardized framework for trauma care training. However, limited data exist on how resident physicians perceive these educational approaches and how they are integrated into routine trauma bay practice. This survey aimed to describe the availability and structure of trauma bay training among resident physicians and to assess their perceptions of ATLS^® courses and simulation-based training.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among resident physicians involved in trauma bay care in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. A self-developed questionnaire assessed training exposure, perceived preparedness, and selected organizational aspects of trauma bay management across specialties and training levels.

Results

A total of 124 participants completed the survey. Participation in ATLS^® courses or trauma bay simulation training was significantly associated with hospital type (p = 0.033) and training level (p = 0.002). Participants who had attended ATLS^® courses reported higher self-reported safety in trauma bay management compared with those without such training (mean 3.67 vs. 2.91, p = 0.0024). Fewer than half of respondents reported access to regular trauma bay simulation training. Functional identification badges were most commonly used in university hospitals and were perceived positively by 63.0% of participants. Supervisory support was generally rated as good or very good, while unprofessional communication was reported by a minority of respondents and most often described as occurring rarely.

Conclusions

This survey highlights heterogeneity in trauma bay training structures and perceived preparedness among resident physicians across different hospital settings. Participation in ATLS^® courses and simulation-based training was reported by participants to be associated with higher self-reported safety, while access to regular training varied by institutional context. These findings provide descriptive data that may inform future discussions on the organization and delivery of postgraduate trauma education.