What do trainees think about advanced trauma life support (ATLS)?

Advanced trauma life support (ATLS) has become a desirable or even essentia l part of training for many surgeons and anaesthetists, but aspects of the ATLS course have attracted criticism. In the absence of published data on t he views of trainees, this study sought their opinions in a structured ques tionnaire, which was completed by trainees in accident and emergency (A & E ) (26), anaesthetic (82), general surgical (26), orthopaedic (42) and other (5) posts in different hospitals (response rate 66%). Of the trainees, 78% had done an ATLS course and, of these, 83% considered ATLS a 'major advantage' or 'essential' for practising their proposed speci alty - 100% for A & E, 94% for orthopaedics, 92% for general surgery, and 7 5% for anaesthetics. ATLS was considered a major curriculum vitae (CV) adva ntage by 94%, 85%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. Over 90% had positive attitu des towards ATLS, and 74% selected 'genuine improvement of management of tr auma patients' as the most important reason for doing the course: 93% thoug ht ATLS saved lives. Of the respondents, 83% thought that all existing consultants dealing with trauma patients should have done the course, and 41% thought it offered maj or advantages to doctors not involved in trauma. Funding problems for ATLS courses had been experienced by 14% trainees. Thi s survey has shown that most trainees view ATLS positively. They believe th at it provides genuine practical benefit for patients, and very few regard ATLS primarily as a career advantage or mandate.