WELCOME TO THE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT TRAUMA SOCIETY OF SOUTH AFRICA
If your question or comment is not addressed here, please complete an enquiry on the “Contact Us” section, which will be forwarded to the Webmaster for action.
If you are intersted in joining the Society you can get the membership form here. Please e-mail form with proof of payment to mande.toubkin@netcare.co.za
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the Trauma Foundation and what does it do?
The Trauma Foundation is a division of the TSSA with the aim of cooperating with other organizations in the prevention of trauma and the public promotion of safe living, being a voice for addressing government and big-business on aspects of Trauma. It is currently chaired by the Vice President of TSSA. It also seeks to cooperate with other organizations such as the AA, Arrive Alive and other Emergency Services and corporate sponsors to work toward improved public safety.
2. Why do we have a Trauma Centre Verification system?
Trauma Centres are hospitals with specific expertise and facilities for the treatment of major trauma or the receipt of referrals of patients with major trauma. As the Trauma Society is the body to which the experts on trauma belong, it is right and proper that we should set the criteria for hospitals who call themselves “Trauma Centres”, particularly as there appears to be some self-promotion through the use of the title “Level 1 Trauma Centre” when often this is not the case in terms of the criteria. The South African criteria are based on the ACS criteria, considered as the “gold standard” in the world today. The society has also contributed to other “standards” documents, such as the EcTC document of World Health Organisation and the COHSASA standards for Emergency Centres. Trauma Tools
3. May I use the images on the image gallery for my personal presentations?
Yes, as long as you credit the image to the Trauma Society of South Africa in your presentation.
4. Who are the current office bearers and what are their credentials?
Please go to the “About Us” section and you will learn more about the executive and current membership spectrum.
5. What is DSTC™?
DSTC™ is the course beyond ATLS for the senior doctors who need to take the operative and treatment decisions about the care of the trauma patient beyond the resuscitation period. It is currently open to mainly senior surgical registrars and qualified surgeons and runs in three provinces of South Africa. It is an internationally accredited course with both didactic and hands-on training teaching best-practice surgical technique and surgical critical care of the major trauma patient. For more information contact the National DSTC office on e-mail Shabina.Reddy@wits.ac.za
6. How do I get more information about the ATLS courses?
Please go to the ATLS page which will give contact numbers and dates of all courses planned for each year and the proposed venues. Click here for details.
7. What is ATLS?
ATLS is a 3-day course for doctors and that can be “audited” (attended but not certified) by paramedics and nurses, which teaches evidence-based initial assessment and resuscitation of the injured. It is an internationally accredited course. See also FAQ6.
8. What is the cost of membership?
Full membership (voting rights at AGM) is currently R150 per annum and Associate membership (Students and Prehospital providers not wanting voting membership) is R100. Corporate sponsorship can be provided as the society is a non-profit organization and registered for tax-concession for companies providing funding for projects.
9. How do I join Trauma Society and what are the membership criteria?
Trauma Society membership is open to Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics (EMS) and practitioners of the Allied Health Professions (OT / Physio) whose passion is the treatment and rehabilitation after trauma. Membership is by application and payment of an annual membership fee, which covers a quarterly journal and reduced rates at CPD meetings and certain local congresses.
10. Who is the Trauma Society?
We are a non-profit organization of medical and prehospital professionals involved with the care of victims of trauma due to mechanical injury. We do not primarily undertake Crisis Counseling, nor do we primarily deal with “loss” trauma from a psychological aspect, however we do attempt to network with organizations that perform these aspects of post-traumatic stress care. The society aims to train and accredit people and facilities for the improved care of the injured and guide best-practice in trauma care.
11. What do we mean by trauma?
Trauma referred to here is the effects of mans interaction with man and his environment resulting in unintended or intentional physical injury. It obviously includes emotional effects, but this is not the primary focus of the trauma that the society is aimed at addressing.