Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Arthur Pliaconis, Whitney Barrett, MD, Angela Wright, MD, and Kathrine Lopez

Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center.

Read more

Welcome to Trauma Emergencies and Care. In this course, you will learn about some of the mechanics and physics of trauma on the human body, and how this can cause injury. You will continue to expand your new vocabulary with medical terminology, and learn how to describe the different injuries you may see. You will also learn about the trauma system itself- and when it is important to transport patients to a trauma center.

Then we will dive into specific injuries based on what part of the body may be injured- or trauma by system. There are different considerations in the trauma patients depending on both how, and where, they are injured. And of course- you will learn your standard approach to a history and physical exam of the trauma patient.

Finally, you will learn about something that you hope to never encounter: mass casualty incidents, or MCI’s. These are occurrences where you may have multiple patients, and there is an organized and specific approach as a provider in these circumstances.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and Kinetics of Trauma
Are you ready to take on trauma? From the battlefield to highways, traumatic injuries were the catalyst for developing systems to move patients to places that they could receive more advanced care. In this module we will talk about what trauma is and why it deserves special attention when it comes to patient care.
Read more

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops specialized knowledge of trauma, which is crucial in healthcare
Taught by renowned experts in the field, who bring real-world insights
In-depth exploration of injuries sustained in various parts of the body
Covers emerging topics in trauma management, such as mass casualty incidents
Could benefit from practical simulations to enhance hands-on learning

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Solid foundation in trauma care

According to learners, this course provides a positive and comprehensive overview of trauma care principles. Students appreciated the detailed exploration of trauma kinetics, shock management, and specific injuries organized by body system. Many found the module on Mass Casualty Incidents particularly valuable and unique. While some experienced professionals felt parts were too basic, the majority indicated it served as an excellent introduction or a strong refresher. The lectures are frequently described as clear and the overall structure as well-organized.
Assumes some understanding of basic anatomy.
"It was mentioned to review anatomy beforehand, which I found necessary to fully grasp some modules."
"Having a basic understanding of human physiology really helps with this course."
"Some sections move quickly, assuming familiarity with medical terminology."
Useful even for those with some prior experience.
"Even with some background, this course was a great refresher on core principles."
"It helped solidify concepts I had previously only touched upon."
"Good for reinforcing knowledge before certification exams."
"I found the systematic review of injuries by body system very useful."
Well-suited as a foundational course for newcomers.
"As someone relatively new to this field, I found the explanations clear and easy to follow."
"This course is perfect for students or those just starting out in emergency care."
"It provides a solid foundation before moving on to more advanced studies."
"I felt the pacing was appropriate for someone without extensive prior knowledge."
Specific topics like MCI and shock were highlighted.
"The section on mass casualty incidents was incredibly informative and practical."
"I particularly appreciated the deep dive into bleeding and shock management."
"The modules on specific system traumas were very helpful for understanding different injuries."
"Learning about the trauma system itself was a key takeaway for me."
Provides a broad and detailed introduction to trauma.
"This course gave me a great overview of trauma emergencies and the care involved..."
"I found the content to be really comprehensive, covering everything from kinetics to MCI..."
"It served as an excellent introduction to the principles of trauma care for me."
"The course covers a wide range of essential topics in trauma and is well-structured."
May lack depth for highly experienced professionals.
"For someone with years of experience in trauma, much of this course was a review of fundamentals."
"I was hoping for more advanced clinical scenarios and treatment details."
"This course feels tailored more towards students than seasoned practitioners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Trauma Emergencies and Care with these activities:
Review anatomy and physiology related to trauma
A strong understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of trauma
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Review textbooks, notes, or online resources on anatomy and physiology
  • Focus on the anatomical structures and physiological processes relevant to trauma
Review Anatomy and Physiology Basics
Reviewing anatomy and physiology will help you develop a stronger understanding of the injuries and trauma systems presented in this course.
Browse courses on Human Physiology
Show steps
  • Review your notes and textbooks from previous anatomy and physiology courses.
  • Complete practice questions or quizzes to test your understanding.
Review trauma scoring systems
Trauma scoring systems provide a standardized approach to assess the severity of injuries and facilitate decision-making
Show steps
  • Find resources on trauma scoring systems
  • Study the different scoring systems
  • Practice using the scoring systems on case studies
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Compile a study guide on topics covered in the course
Compiling a comprehensive study guide helps with organization and review of course materials
Show steps
  • Review the course syllabus, notes, and assignments
  • Identify key concepts and topics
  • Summarize the key information and create a study guide
Draft a patient hand-off note for a trauma patient
Writing thorough and concise hand-off notes provides a clear communication of patient progress to the receiving nurse
Show steps
  • Attend lecture on patient hand-off notes
  • Review the structure of a patient hand-off note
  • Practice writing hand-off notes for simulated trauma patients
Attend a Trauma Management Workshop
Attending a trauma management workshop will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts and refine your skills in a specialized setting.
Show steps
  • Search for and register for trauma management workshops.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in lectures, discussions, and simulations.
  • Network with other healthcare professionals and share experiences.
Create a multimedia presentation on a specific type of trauma
Creating multimedia presentations requires students to synthesize information and present it in an engaging way, which helps in retention and deeper understanding
Show steps
  • Choose a specific type of trauma to focus on
  • Research the topic and gather information
  • Create a multimedia presentation using tools like PowerPoint, Prezi, or videos
  • Practice presenting the multimedia presentation
Complete practice questions on traumatic brain injuries
Repetitive practice on case-specific questions will help build expertise
Browse courses on Traumatic Brain Injury
Show steps
  • Collect practice questions on traumatic brain injuries
  • Set a timer and complete the practice questions
  • Review and correct your answers
Simulate managing a mass-casualty incident
Simulations allow the learners to test their abilities in a controlled environment, enabling them to review areas of improvement
Browse courses on Disaster Response
Show steps
  • Gather a group of volunteers to participate in the simulation
  • Assign roles to each volunteer and give them a scenario
  • Facilitated the simulation
  • Debrief after the simulation, reviewing what went well and what could be improved
Attend a trauma conference or workshop
Trauma conferences and workshops provide opportunities to learn from experts in the field, network with other professionals, and gain hands-on experience
Show steps
  • Identify a relevant trauma conference or workshop
  • Register for the conference or workshop
  • Attend the conference or workshop
  • Take notes and participate in discussions
Participate in a trauma simulation competition
Trauma simulation competitions provide an opportunity to test skills in managing trauma patients in a realistic and challenging setting
Show steps
  • Find a trauma simulation competition to participate in
  • Practice managing trauma patients
  • Compete in the trauma simulation competition
  • Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement

Career center

Learners who complete Trauma Emergencies and Care will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Emergency Medicine Physician
Emergency Medicine Physicians are responsible for providing immediate medical care to patients in emergency situations. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for an Emergency Medicine Physician.
Trauma Surgeon
Trauma Surgeons are responsible for performing surgery on patients who have experienced trauma. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the different types of trauma that can occur, how they can cause injury, and the different surgical techniques that can be used to treat these injuries. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Trauma Surgeon.
Critical Care Nurse
Critical Care Nurses provide care to patients who are critically ill or injured. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Critical Care Nurse.
Paramedic
Paramedics provide emergency medical care to patients in pre-hospital settings. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Paramedic.
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurses provide care to patients in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Registered Nurse.
Physician Assistant
Physician Assistants provide medical care to patients under the supervision of a physician. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Physician Assistant.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational Therapists help people with injuries or disabilities to regain their independence and improve their quality of life. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for an Occupational Therapist.
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapists help people with injuries or disabilities to restore their movement and function. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Physical Therapist.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-Language Pathologists help people with communication and swallowing disorders. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Medical Examiner
Medical Examiners are responsible for investigating deaths that occur under suspicious or unclear circumstances. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Medical Examiner.
Medical Researcher
Medical Researchers investigate the causes and treatments of diseases and injuries. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Medical Researcher.
Health Educator
Health Educators teach people about health and how to prevent disease and injury. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Health Educator.
Social Worker
Social Workers help people cope with difficult life events, such as trauma. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Social Worker.
Counselor
Counselors help people cope with mental health issues, such as trauma. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Counselor.
Chaplain
Chaplains provide spiritual support to people in need, including those who have experienced trauma. This course would provide valuable knowledge of the mechanics and physics of trauma, how injuries occur, and the different types of injuries that can be seen in trauma patients. It would also help build a foundation in medical terminology and the trauma system, which would be essential knowledge for a Chaplain.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Trauma Emergencies and Care.
This textbook provides a thorough review of emergency medicine, encompassing a wide range of topics including trauma care. It can be a valuable resource for healthcare professionals seeking an in-depth understanding of the latest advances and best practices in trauma management.
This comprehensive textbook covers a wide range of topics in emergency medicine, offering a detailed overview of trauma management principles and practices.
Provides a comprehensive overview of trauma emergencies, covering various topics such as injury mechanisms, patient assessment, and management strategies. It can serve as a valuable resource for understanding the basics of trauma care.
This concise and practical guide provides a quick reference for healthcare professionals involved in trauma care. It offers essential information and guidelines for managing trauma patients.
While tailored towards pediatric trauma care, this book offers valuable insights into the management of specific injuries commonly encountered in trauma patients.
A comprehensive textbook that covers all aspects of emergency care and transportation of the sick and injured. It valuable resource for both practicing paramedics and EMTs.
A comprehensive manual that covers all aspects of trauma care. It valuable resource for both practicing physicians and residents in training.
A comprehensive textbook that covers all aspects of trauma management for the critical care nurse. It valuable resource for both practicing nurses and nursing students.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser