In USA alone the unintentional deaths reported during 2004 were to be 111,000 and disability to 23.2 Millions. A total of 3.7 Millions were injured at work while 9 Millions sustained injuries at home. The economic impact for the injured during the year was estimated to be a staggering $ 574.8 Billions.

World over injury is one of the leading causes of death and morbidity. It is expected that by 2020 injury may become to be the second or third leading cause of death in all age groups. Motor vehicle accidents account for the majority of deaths and injuries in 39 countries of the World, where data is available. Death rates from injury per 100,000 population stands at

    1. 120 in Russian Federation
    2. 72 in Hungry
    3. 70 in Denmark
    4. 40 in Venezuela and
    5. 21 in United Kingdom.

IMPORTANCE IN PAKISTAN
In Pakistan, unfortunately not much data is collected, compiled or assessed; however Heartfile (an NGO) in cooperation with National Action Plan for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases carried out a survey at Rawalpindi and it was assed that overall 17.7% males and 10% females sustain injuries. Those injured had 2.8% urban and 1.8% rural background.

Pakistan registered a GDP growth rate of 8.4% in 2004, 7.5% in 2005 and around 7% in 2006. The industrial sector is said to be growing about 19% per annum exposing ever larger number of people to work related accidents. During 2006, about 240,000 cars, 350,000 motorbikes and 24,000 trucks were added on the roads, exposing much greater traffic hazard to the population. Fast growing trade activities within the country and with our neighbours like Afghanistan, India and China (the two being the fastest growing economies of the World) is bound to multiply vehicular traffic thus increasing hazards for the population. The natural calamity of earthquake of 2005, which befell on the NWFP and AJK is reported to have resulted in over 100,000 deaths and similar number of Trauma cases. Situations involving large number of patients demanding immediate medical help shatter the nerves and hamper the cool of the attending doctor. Training in Trauma care has thus acquired an urgent and compelling importance for the doctors.

UNIVERSALITY OF THE PROGRAM
ATLS® is a program especially developed and designed by American College of Surgeons to train and prepare the doctors to comprehensively treat and administer healthcare to the Trauma victims at the hospitals. Its goal is to teach a simplified and standardized approach to trauma patients. ATLS was designed for emergency situations where only one doctor and one nurse are present, but nowadays, ATLS is also widely accepted as the standard of care for the first (golden) hour in trauma centers.

The program is universally accepted as the best for trauma care. This program is acquired and administered by all the developed countries of the World, including USA, UK, other European countries and many developing countries of Asia and Africa. Countries like Saudi Arabia , UAE, Qatar, Singapore and Republic of China are also among the countries which are administering this program as a policy of their healthcare providers.

CPSP ONLY INSTITUTION CHOSEN TO ADMINISTER ATLS® IN SAARC
CPSP is the only institution in the SAARC countries which has been accredited by the American College of Surgeons to administer the ATLS® program. It is due to the international standing of the College of Physicians and Surgeon Pakistan and because of its unimpeachable reputation that it has been selected to administer the program locally and award certification of successful completion of the program, which shall be universally accepted by all the institutions including American College of Surgeons and the countries where the program has been adopted as a must policy for the healthcare providers.

• COURSES
  The program has three courses.
  
  • STUDENT COURSE
  The ATLS® program emphasizes the rapid initial assessment and primary management of the injured patient starting at a time of injury and continued through initial assessment, revaluation and stabilization. Upon completion, the doctors feel confident in implementing the skills trained in the ATLS® Course.
  The duration of the course is 2.5 days.
  
  • INSTRUCTOR COURSE
  The instructor Course teaches the doctors how to teach the ATLS® program. Course participants practice the type of teaching technique taught during the instructor course.
  The duration of the course is 2 days
  
  • REFRESHER COURSE
  The ATLS® program is updated every 4 years by the American College of Surgeons by including the input gathered from World over. To maintain a current up to date status in ATLS® program, the validity of an ATLS is set to 4 years. Students are encouraged to re-verify by the time their status expires.
  The duration of the course is 1.5 days.
  
  The College has been accredited to administer all the three courses.
  Every course shall be restricted to a maximum of 16 participants.

FACULTY
The initial courses will be administered by a seven member’s faculty which will include four from abroad.
These are highly interactive course combining lectures, discussions, interactive tutorials, skill teaching and simulated patient management scenarios (moulage).

REGISTRATION AND LOCATION OF COURSE ADMINISTRATION
The College has decided to initially start administration of these courses at it Head office located at 7th Central Street, DHA Phase II, Karachi. The aspiring candidates may contact the National Director of the ATLS® at the College or visit our website, ATLS® link at www.cpsp.edu.pk.

The College intends to later administer these courses at its provincial headquarters Regional Centres too.

ELIGIBILITY
All individuals who have acquired MBBS or equivalent certification from a PMDC recognized institution. However, at present, the College has decided to entertain applications only from its FELLOWS.

ATLS Application Form