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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Paul J. Bollinger, MPH, Northwest Medical Teams International, PO Box 10, Portland, OR 97207-0010, 503-624-1048, pbollinger@nwmti.org

Northwest Medical Teams International (NWMT) has instituted a worldwide education model with a goal to reduce secondary injury resulting from road traffic accidents. According to the World Health Organization 23% of injury related deaths of children under the age of five are from road traffic accidents. By 2020 it is estimated that road traffic accidents will be one of the top three causes of death worldwide. NWMT - Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Training Program has developed a “train the trainer” model for emergency response providers. The goals of the NWMT - EMS train the trainer program are simple: 1) Develop curriculum ranging from medical first responder to advanced paramedic in the local language, 2) Train master trainers to train their peers, and 3) Standardize and integrate EMS education into the local health education system. NWMT uses volunteer emergency medical services personnel to teach others in developing countries. The local master trainers return to their “home” communities and begin training their peers, healthcare providers and community health workers. This model of training allows NWMT to build a system of sustainability and community ownership to its training program that reaches beyond the traditional academic setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of the severity of the problem of road traffic accidents in developing countries particularly its effect on young people.
• Learn the model that Northwest Medical Teams International developed to address this problem.
• Review the challenges and effectiveness of NWMT’s training program through the examination of case examples.

Keywords: EMS/Trauma, International Health

Related Web page: www.nwmedicalteams.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation