Establishing an evaluation tool for trauma team leader performance during trauma resuscitation

Introduction: Trauma training is an important part of medical and surgical education.Evaluation of training is an essential part of medical education. A formal valid assessmentmethod for trauma training is not available. The purpose of this study is to establish a formaland scientifically-based Trauma Team Leader Evaluation Tool.Methods and Results: A literature review was conducted on the assessment of traumateam leaders. The available published studies were reviewed and assessed, as well asreferences on the principles and practice of assessment methods used in medical education.Input on points of assessment was obtained from trauma team leaders at the HamiltonGeneral Hospital. An evaluation form was formulated with five domains, each containing fiveitems. Definitions of the domains and items were clarified and attached to the form. The formwas reviewed and revised by trauma team leaders of adult trauma and education leadersin pediatric trauma at Hamilton General Hospital and Health Science Education ProgramMcMaster University and then finalized based on the discussed suggestions.Conclusions: Assessment of trauma team leader performance is an important part oftrauma training and feedback. Developing an assessment tool involves a comprehensiveprocess that needs review, input, and participation from various sources related to trauma.More work to validate the tool will be needed to evaluate its utility.