Trauma Surgery Training: Simulations, Continuing Education, and Preventing Burnout with Stephen Cohn

What really happens behind the scenes when a severely injured trauma patient arrives at the hospital?  

Emergency care providers need to act quickly and coordinate seamlessly with their team when seconds count to save a trauma patient's life. But the high-stakes, chaotic environment can make it challenging to stay calm, avoid errors, and prevent burnout, especially if you don't get to practice those skills regularly.

Stephen Cohn MD says trauma surgeons need to be experts at dealing with calamity. They are glue people, helping to hold together the entire hospital enterprise. In today's episode you'll get:

1. An inside look at real-world trauma resuscitation from a surgeon's perspective  
2. Practical tips to optimize trauma teamwork, communication, and composure under pressure
3. Advice for both individuals and organizations on building sustainable trauma surgery careers

Listen now to hear Dr. Cohn's wisdom gleaned from 40+ years of managing the worst injuries imaginable.

Resources

Stephen M. Cohn MD. All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. Mayo Clinic Press. 2023.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:40 Walk-through of the arrival of a trauma patient at the trauma center

10:14 Feelings in the trauma center and coordinated teamwork

14:12 Continuing medical education and team training

17:32 The work that trauma & general surgeons do and a wide array of potential surgical intervention

19:16 Innovations that have redefined and impacted trauma care

21:39 Common errors and misconceptions

23:27 Advice for younger surgeons on preventing burnout and preserving energy

25:37 Institutional support and resources

27:27 Key takeaways

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