Medical staffing models of inpatient major trauma services in Australia and New Zealand.

Abstract

Objective: To quantify and describe the different medical specialty staffing models utilised by inpatient trauma services in Major Trauma Centres in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A standardised telephone survey of all Major Trauma Centres (MTCs) in Australia and New Zealand was conducted between May and August 2024. Results: 16/27 (67%) of MTC's in Australia utilise multi-specialty staffing models for their inpatient trauma service. Two of the seven (29%) MTC's in New Zealand utilise a multi-specialty staffing model. Conclusions: This study presents the results of a survey of all adult and paediatric major trauma centres in Australia and New Zealand. It quantifies and describes medical specialist staffing models of inpatient major trauma services. Two-thirds of MTC's in Australia and almost one-third of MTC's in New Zealand utilise multi-specialty medical specialist staffing models for their inpatient trauma services. The range of non-surgical specialties employed in these roles includes Emergency Physicians (FACEM), Anaesthetists (FANZCA) and Intensivists (FCICM). Of those services that utilise a multi-specialty model, there is wide variation in the number and mix of specialties involved, as well as in the structure and function of the admitting services.