Course Overview
Trauma care has evolved beyond recognition in recent years. In the immediate post-war era, comprehensive care could be provided by individual surgeons. The scope of experience and skill gained during the war years was unparalleled, but short lived. The evolution of Critical Care, refinements in operative techniques, implant development and basic science research, have all played their part in the fragmentation of trauma care into a multi-disciplinary field.  Nevertheless, substantial common ground exists between the disciplines involved in managing trauma. In the initial phases of acute & extended resuscitation and critical care, Accident & Emergency Medicine, Intensive Care, General and Vascular Surgery, and Neurosurgery regularly play their parts. However, because of the prevalent mechanisms of injury in the UK, trauma surgery is most commonly performed by Trauma and Orthopaedic, Burns and Plastic, or Maxillofacial surgeons.

Morriston Hospital is one of only six centres in the UK housing all surgical specialities required to provide comprehensive care for trauma patients, and hence is the natural home for an MSc in Trauma Surgery or Trauma Surgery (Military). The shortening of medical training is placing greater emphasis upon post-graduate education and a Masters degree embracing the principle surgical disciplines involved in UK Trauma care aims to set new standards in this field and lead into high quality research.  The scheme is offered on a part-time basis, with candidates attending one week blocks at the College of Medicine in Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Self-directed learning using Blackboard to help direct pre-reading is essential. This core factual knowledge will be built upon with formal lectures and group discussions. This will enable students to explore salient points and allow knowledge to be placed in context, both with respect to clinical and research considerations.

Trauma surgery is a practical discipline and much of the educational sessions will be given to moulage scenarios and surgical skills simulations. These methods will be familiar to candidates, but the MSc course will weave these experiences together into moulage skills practicals. The experience gained in these simulations will cement the factual knowledge acquired with its clinical application. 

Further information

• Contents of the course
• Expected outcomes of the course
• How to apply

Useful information to download

• MSc Trauma Surgery timetable (2009)
• MSc Trauma Surgery e-brochure