Impact of Primary Trauma Care Training In Karachi: A Quasi Experimental Study

Shireen Abdul Aziz Ramzanali, Dileep Kumar, Shamsa Alnoor Kassam, Kahkashan Tahir

Abstract

Objective

To assess the impact of Life & Limb PTC training on trauma-related knowledge and clinical skills among healthcare workers in Karachi. 

Study design 

This was a quasi-experimental study.

Place & Duration of study

The study was conducted under the umbrella of Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences for Girls Karachi in different hospitals from November 2024 to November 2025.

Methods

Different categories of healthcare providers including doctors, nurses, technologists and students related to these disciplines were enrolled in Primary Trauma Care (PTC) course. The knowledge of the participants of PTC course was assessed using a structured best choice questionnaire (BCQ) administered before and after the training. Clinical skills were evaluated through a standardized post-training skills assessment sheet. Descriptive statistics were used to compute demographic data. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to compare paired pre- and post-test knowledge scores, while post-training performance in skills stations was analyzed against predefined competency criteria and one-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to the post-test results of the clinical skills part. A p<0.05 was taken as significant.

Results 

A total of 94 participants were included. There were 74 (78.7%) females and 20 (21.3%) males in the study. Most of the participants (n=52 - 55.4%) were doctors and undergraduate medical students. Median BCQ knowledge scores improved significantly following the training (p<0.001), demonstrating a gain in theoretical understanding. Post-training clinical skills assessment showed that most participants achieved competency in airway management, cervical spine protection, hemorrhage control, and structured trauma assessment. Overall, the training led to measurable improvement in both knowledge and skill performance.

Conclusion

PTC training substantially enhanced participants’ trauma-care knowledge and foundational clinical skills. The findings support integrating PTC-based capacity-building initiatives across healthcare facilities in Karachi to strengthen early trauma management and improve patient outcomes.

Key words 

Primary Trauma Care, Trauma training, Pre- and post-test, Clinical skills, Capacity building.