Organise a course
Discover how our partnerships are making a positive difference in communities.
The Organiser's checklist
This page serves as a checklist for individuals planning to establish a PTC course in their locality. If PTC is not yet available in your country or region, please scroll down to the section titled ‘Introducing PTC to a New Country’.
Step 1: Identify a Local Course Coordinator
Appoint a Local Course Coordinator – preferably someone with access to phone, fax, and email. This individual will handle communications with the Regional PTC Coordinator and the PTC Head Office to arrange the course. If you are unsure who your Country Coordinator is, please contact us to find out.
Step 2: Arrange a date for the course
Dates need to be scheduled at least six months ahead, preferably nine months if feasible. The PTC Foundation course lasts for two days, but the effective 'five-day model' is typically used. This model includes a two-day Foundation course, a one-day Instructors course, and an additional two-day Foundation course conducted by the newly trained instructors.
Step 3: Identify funding/budget
The Primary Trauma Care Foundation operates as a non-profit organisation, with its course instructors serving without receiving any salary or honorarium. Nonetheless, course attendees are typically encouraged to make a modest voluntary donation, tailored to the local context where the course is conducted, to help cover operational expenses.
Step 4: Invite participants
A typical course will have 8-24 participant trainees, but can be flexed dependent on the situation and instructor to participant ratio. We aim for 1 instructor to every 4-5 participants so that participants feel that they have enough tuition and time allocated - particularly for the interactive training sessions.
Step 5: Identify suitable PTC Instructors
A minimum of four instructors is required for every 20 participants, and PTC will help in finding additional instructors to support the course.
Step 6: Arrange a suitable venue
You will need to organise catering for the entire course. Additionally, if possible, arrange for a digital projector. If a projector isn't available, a flip chart or blackboard will suffice. If mannequins are not accessible, consider asking for volunteers from the participants.
Step 7: Check for course materials
Ensure that your course materials are accessible in the local language. If they are not, arrange for translation, which typically requires 6 to 9 months.
Step 8: Publicise the Course
Inform local newspapers/media of the PTC course taking place, and encourage them to give it publicity!
Step 9: Wider Strategy
Every PTC course should integrate into a broader plan for organising future PTC courses in the region.
Introducing PTC to a new country
The critical prerequisite for bringing PTC to a new nation is a voluntary invitation from the host country, typically initiated by a prominent anaesthetic, surgical, or other medical association.
To establish a sustainable PTC training program, several vital elements are necessary:
1. Support from key stakeholders, including government bodies, Ministries of Health, World Health Organisation (WHO) representatives, and a diverse group of clinical specialists.
2. An enthusiastic 'Link' individual, generally a senior clinician, who can effectively communicate and coordinate among these key stakeholders.
The setup process is usually as follows:
The Assessment Visit
A visit by senior PTC instructors to engage with key stakeholders has proven highly beneficial. It helps resolve local logistical and potential political issues, ensuring comprehensive agreement and cooperation across all levels.
Inaugural Course & Country Team
Successful and sustainable PTC courses rely fundamentally on a well-organised and effectively led Country PTC Team. Typically, this team is established following the completion of an initial overseas-led inaugural course. The team is chaired by a highly respected individual, often from the political, religious, or medical spheres, who commands universal respect. The 'Link' person collaborates with this team to develop a rollout plan for the specified region or country.
Practical Considerations
Course Materials
The PTC course material should be provided in the host country's language, unless English is widely understood and acceptable. It is important to determine if a translation is necessary. Based on our experience, translating the materials typically takes about six to nine months and must be finished before the initial course.
Whom to invite?
Primary Trauma Care (PTC) aims to be accessible throughout all regions of a country. The instructors for the first course should be the highest-ranking surgeons, anesthesiologists, and emergency medicine physicians in the area. For PTC to reach peripheral hospitals, it is crucial that top medical representatives embrace its vision and potential. When the Anaesthetic Society of a country requests a course, it is vital to include their surgical colleagues to participate and assist in organising and structuring the course. Additionally, gaining support from organisations such as the Local or National Ministry of Health is essential for setting up the inaugural course.
Host countries should note the following:
- The PTC course is open to anyone with a legitimate professional interest in trauma.
- Initial courses should target doctors and other senior health professionals. Once PTC is established in a country, other health professionals, such as registered nurses, health officers, ambulance paramedics, and police officers, can be trained.
- The primary objective is to teach the course at the district general hospital level, which can then be extended to rural areas.
People's experience with PTC
“I am proud to be a PTC ambassador. PTC is transferring invaluable practical knowledge and skills, helping create high performing teams where they are needed most.
Teams that are better able to save lives under the most intense pressure, by immersing practitioners in relevant, realistic training.”
Teams that are better able to save lives under the most intense pressure, by immersing practitioners in relevant, realistic training.”
Lt Gen Sir Paul Newton
Former Head of UK Military Training
“PTC training is vital if we are going to continue to save lives in the remote parts of this world.
I have seen the effects of PTC training;
it saves thousands of lives. I am proud to be part of the PTC team.”
I have seen the effects of PTC training;
it saves thousands of lives. I am proud to be part of the PTC team.”
Lucy Obolensky
Prof of Global Health University of Plymouth
Contact us
If, in the light of the above information, you are interested in setting up PTC in your country or region, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us discuss your interests further.
