IATSIC Report

Elmin Steyn, President IATSIC

IATSIC report on the recent WCS and activities of IATSIC over the past 2 years.

Krakow was a beautiful and inspiring venue for the WCS of the ISS/SIC and its integrat ed societies. IATSIC offered a diverse programme, consisting of presentations not only on trauma care in the high-tec environ ment, but also on innovative and exciting contributions from low and middle income countries (LMIC). The Donald Trunkey lec ture was delivered by the eminent Dr. Amit Gupta on “Development and challenges in the evolution of trauma care systems in an emerging economy like India”. Dr Nobhojit Roy was funded by ASAP and Drs Brhanu and Djimbaye were funded by Tina Gaarder and Paal Naess.

The Danis Award was presented to Dr. Juan Asensio and three IATSIC Scholarships were assigned through the ISS Foundation infrastructure.

The formal conference was preceded by two very successful and surprisingly well-attended workshops, organized by the energetic outgoing President, Prof Tina Gaarder. The backbone of IATSIC has always been the phenomenal international training courses it offers, namely DSTC-DATC, and NTMC. The DSTC-DATC courses combine advanced practical skills training with strategic decision-making for the emergency setting. The main theme of the pre-conference workshop was the future of IATSIC and how a group of global experts in trauma education, research, trauma systems and advocacy could optimize treatment of the injured, both in LMICs and HICs. This includes countries like Ethiopia, where NTMC provider and instructor courses had recently been introduced.

IATSIC is widening its educational scope by updating audio-visual material, as well as creating baskets of course module options, taylored to the needs and resources of the individual region. Masterclasses for instructors are in the pipeline, as well as generic disaster management training.

We are very excited that a new ISS/SIC membership fee structure will allow for more members from LMICs to join. In addition, free membership is offered to DSTC-DATC participants, until the end of the first year after joining IATSIC.

Krakow Market Place

A very special Gala Dinner took place at the Restauracja U Ziyada, shared with special guests and old friend, ASAP. This charming restaurant, situated in an old fortress, provides exquisite views of the pastoral scenes around the historic city of Krakow, reminding us of the complex and poignant history of Poland and the importance of optimizing trauma care all over the world.

IATSIC Dinner at Restauracja U Ziyada in Krakow

Elmin Steyn President IATSIC

The new executive committee and councilors for IATSIC 2019-2021 are: President Elmin Steyn, South Africa President elect Scott K. D’Amours, Australia Past President Christine Gaarder, Norway Secretary/Treasurer Hayato Kurihara, Italy Representative on the WJS Timothy C. Hardcastle, South Africa Chair, Education Committee Scott K. D’Amours, Australia Chair, DSTC Committee Tarek Razek, Canada Chair, DATC Subcommittee Jonathan O. White, Denmark Chair, NTMC Committee Ranjith N. Ellawala, Sri Lanka Council Representatives North America: Mark W. Bowyer, USA South America: Gustavo P. Fraga, Brazil Europe: Eric J. Voiglio, France Africa: Alain Chichom Mefire, Cameroon Asia: Ming-Terk Chiu, Singapore Oceania: Katherine Martin, Australia Middle East: Mahir Øzmen, Turkey Japan and related Geographical Areas: Takashi Fujita, Japan