DSTC Courses

Definitive Surgical Trauma Care (DSTC), Definitive Anaesthetic Trauma Care (DATC) and Definitive Perioperative Nursing Trauma Care (DPNTC) DSTC and DATC courses are run under the auspices of the International Association for Trauma Surgery and Intensive Care (IATSIC), which is a society affiliated with the International Surgical Society (ISS). The DSTC program has been running in Sydney since 1996 and the courses are held in 30 countries, with DATC and DPNTC running alongside many of them.  

Definitive Surgical Trauma Care (DSTC) Course for Surgeons

DSTC Course for surgeons was created to address the challenges of surgical decision making and operative technique involved in the treatment of life-threatening injuries in the early stages of the management of a trauma patient. The course is designed specifically for consultant surgeons and senior surgical trainees (final two years of surgical advanced training) who are required to manage major trauma patients. It is highly appropriate for rural general surgeons, for surgeons in large urban hospitals, and for those in trauma centres specialising in trauma care.

The DSTC course is the perfect opportunity to focus on:

  • Surgical decision-making in complex scenarios
  • Operative techniques in critically ill trauma patients
  • Hands on practical experience with skilled instructors (both national and international)
  • Insight into difficult trauma situations with learned techniques of haemorrhage control and the ability to handle major thoracic, cardiac and abdominal injuries

Definitive Anaesthetic Trauma Care (DSTC) Course for Anaesthetists

DATC course has been held in conjunction with DSTC in Australia since 2014. The course maintains key competencies of training for participating anaesthetists and the team training across craft groups benefits all groups in developing a holistic understanding of treating acute trauma patients from damage control through to definitive care. The course is suitable for consultant anaesthetists and anaesthetic fellows (post-exam) involved in trauma.

Participants in DATC course will explore:

  • Anaesthetic management (including critical care considerations) in complex scenarios
  • Anaesthetic options and techniques for complex trauma patients
  • ANZSCA CPD requirements for CICO and critical bleeding/major haemorrhage
  • Insight into surgical decision making from a multidisciplinary approach

Definitive Perioperative Nurses Trauma Care (DPNTC) Course for Perioperative and Anaesthetic Nurses

The Definitive Perioperative Nurses Trauma Care (DPNTC) course is a three day training program for operating theatre nurses, anaesthetic nurses and anaesthetic technicians who have a minimum of two years recent clinical experience in a perioperative setting.

The DPNTC course is the preeminent trauma surgery course in Australasia and the only course that runs conjointly with surgeons (Definitive Surgical Trauma Care), and anaesthetists (Definitive Anaesthetic Trauma Care

This DPNTC course aims to foster teamwork and collaboration in the interdisciplinary care of the surgical trauma patient. The theory components of the program and hands-on operative laboratory will give you increased confidence in managing challenging trauma situations. The course is a unique opportunity for perioperative nurses to train together and focus on surgical decision-making and operative techniques in the care of critical ill trauma patients.

Scholarships to attend this course are offered at hospitals across New South Wales, contact the Nursing Unit Manager, Operating Theatre or Nursing Executives in your facility to find out more information on availability and how to apply.

Click here (link to Scholarship Page) for information about other scholarships available for Liverpool Trauma Nurses. For scholarships available at other hospitals, contact your Nurse Unit Manager or Nursing Executive for more information.

DSTC – Military Module

The Military Module is open to surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses, and to both civilians and military personnel. It is a one day program relevant to those interested in humanitarian surgery. The module is a combination of lectures, case studies and practical stations led by a faculty of top military surgeons and anaesthetists. The course can be attended by anyone who has completed a DSTC, DATC or DPNTC course.

Contact DSTC Sydney Secretariat:
Email: SWSLHD-DSTC@health.nsw.gov.au

DSTC Website & Registration
Dr Valerie Malka is the Director of the Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Unit at Liverpool Hospital. She was the previous Director of Trauma Services at Westmead Hospital for over a decade. She is an EMST Director and DSTC Instructor with a great passion for trauma and acute care surgery. With special interests in education and quality assurance she has worked extensively in patient safety and the maintenance of ethics in healthcare. Valerie has worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Rescue Committee and holds a Diploma in International Humanitarian Assistance from Geneva University and a Master’s Degree in International Public Health with a major in Humanitarian Law. She also holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and works freelance writing medical, health and wellbeing articles.