The Rural Trauma Team Development Course (RTTDC) emphasizes a team approach to the initial evaluation and resuscitation of the trauma patient at a rural facility. With more than 60 percent of the country’s trauma deaths occurring in rural areas, the course assists health care professionals in determining the need to transfer the patient to a higher level of care. The one day course includes interactive lectures on both medical procedures and communication strategies and three team performance scenarios.

Course Description
Developed by the Rural Trauma Committee of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT), RTTDC is based on the concept that in most situations, rural facilities can form a trauma team consisting of at least three core members. The course is offered in a single day or modular format.

Course Content: The didactic portion of the course addresses the following concepts:
Airway • Breathing • Circulation • Disability • Exposure and Environment • Transfer to Definitive Care • Pediatric Trauma • Special Considerations (Pregnancy, Burns, Geriatric) • Performance Improvement and Patient Safety • Communications

The course also includes Team Performance Scenarios, in which the teams use patient scenarios
to perform a primary assessment. 

Target Audience
The intended audience includes individuals who are involved in the care of the injured patient, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, prehospital personnel, technicians, and administrative support.

Accreditation

The American College of Surgeons is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

CME Credit The American College of Surgeons designates this live activity for a maximum of 8 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Non-Physicians
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Other non-physician participants will receive a certificate of course completion that they can use to claim credits from their respective credentialing entities