Every year, over 5 million people die from traumatic injuries worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for advancements in trauma care. To address this critical issue, the GOAL-Trauma study, co-funded by the University of Cambridge, is calling upon doctors, researchers, and health-care professionals from across the globe to join forces in understanding and advancing trauma care.
Many injuries, such as road-traffic accidents or stabbings, result in damage to the organs or blood vessels in the abdomen, often requiring emergency surgery known as trauma laparotomy to save lives. The majority of patients with traumatic injuries live in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, the differences in the injuries, the hospital care they receive, and their overall outcomes compared to patients in high-income countries remain largely unknown.
To improve survival rates from traumatic injuries, the GOAL-Trauma study aims to provide a global snapshot of current mortality rates following trauma laparotomy. The study aims to gain insights into variations in time delays in receiving care, disease and patient factors, and overall patient outcomes.
What sets this study apart is its collaborative nature: any hospital or health care facility worldwide conducting emergency trauma surgery is invited to participate. With collaborators joining from every corner of the globe, the GOAL-Trauma study is rapidly shaping up as one of the largest-ever studies in trauma care.
Dr Michael Bath, General Surgical Registrar and Lead Investigator for the GOAL-Trauma Study emphasised the importance of this study:
"Around 10% of all worldwide deaths result from trauma, with 90% occurring in low- and middle-income settings. This not only leads to a significant loss of life but also imposes substantial morbidity and disability, causing economic burdens. Ensuring the development of trauma care globally across different health settings is essential to reduce this burden of disease."
The East of England Population Health Research Hub (EoE PHResH) Evaluation Working Group hosted online webinars designed for Local Authority practitioners to enhance their evaluation knowledge on a series of topics.
Webinars were recorded, with videos and slides available on a range of topics:
Half-day symposium that brings together academic, industry & clinical experts to discuss how technology & systems can improve public health
As part of the Cambridge Festival 2023, Cambridge Public Health warmly invites all to attend a morning of talks on, Technology and Systems: What do they mean for public health?
This half-day event will present speakers with interests in technology and systems, who are committed to improving public health across the UK. It will explore the interface between these ideas and demonstrate their role in both policy and direct clinical care.
Speakers include academics, clinicians, policy makers and industry representatives who work or collaborate within the Cambridge healthcare and research ecosystem.
Opening and introduction:
- Dr Tom Bashford, Assistant Professor in Healthcare Systems, University of Cambridge Department of Engineering.
Topics and speakers:
- Systems Thinking and the NHS
Dr Michelle Rigozzi, CAPE Policy Fellow - Digital as the Foundation of Integrated Care Delivery
Mr Piyush Mahapatra, Director of Innovation, Open Medical - Bridging Theory to Practice in Health Systems Research
Dr Laura Walker, Emergency Medicine Physician, Mayo Clinic, Minnesota USA - Delivery Model Innovation – Why we should spend more time working on the ‘how’
Finn Stevenson, CEO, flok Health - Personalising Care: What do Wearables tell us?
Dr Kirsten Rennie, Senior Research Associate, MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge - Monitoring Brain Metabolism with Light
Dr Gemma Bale, Assistant Professor in Medical Therapeutics, University of Cambridge Department of Engineering.
Agenda: https://www.cph.cam.ac.uk/files/formatted_agenda.pdf
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/502479970117
How to find us: Directions to the Department of Engineering on Trumpington Street are available here. Please report to the main reception at the Baker building where there will be signposts to Lecture Theatre 6.
Download map:
How to get involved
Any hospital worldwide that performs emergency trauma surgery is invited to participate in the study. The collected data will be added to centres across the globe, creating a comprehensive dataset.
Each collaborator in the study will be part of the collaborator authorship and contribute to the development of a growing research network dedicated to advancing trauma care.
The study is due to begin shortly, but any hospital worldwide can join the study at any time. To participate, register your interest by following the link below, and we will provide the necessary documents to get started.
Further information and link to register:
Goal Trauma website: https://goaltrauma.org
Email: team@goaltrauma.org
Funding: The GOAL-Trauma study is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the University of Cambridge.