Simulated car crashes, accidents and a mock nightclub brawl tested the skills of medical students from across the country at the University of East Anglia. Students from Durham, Cambridge, Nottingham and Southampton joined UEA students at a two day trauma conference in Norwich.
The aim of the event; to educate the doctors of tomorrow in the area of trauma and emergency medicine, through a programme of varied lectures, seminars and practical sessions. In the trauma simulation sessions, groups of students were taught how to deal with emergencies they could encounter in real life.
Using actors in full make-up as ‘patients’, qualified paramedics talked the students through how to care for the accident victims correctly, employing specialist techniques and equipment including spinal boards and neck collars.
Talks during the weekend covered subjects such as major accident management, pre hospital care and battlefield trauma. The students will also take part in practical sessions about suturing wounds, and inserting chest drains in emergency situations.
The event was arranged by the UEA Surgical Society’s Caroline Anderson, a fourth year medical student. She said: “Trauma is a fascinating and rewarding branch of medicine that bridges every body system and brings together a lot of what we are taught as students.
“It is also an area that can be of immediate use to students – they should leave the weekend feeling confident that if they were to encounter a ‘trauma’ situation, such as a traffic accident, that they would know what to do and be able to help until the emergency services arrive.”
Third year UEA medical student Tim Wray said: “I signed up for the conference as it was good value for money and had a lot of great speakers, interesting talks and hands on practice of lifesaving techniques.”
Alongside learning a variety of new skills, the attendees were also raising money for the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS) through their conference fees and a raffle during the weekend.
