A qualitative assessment of trauma care at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation in Guyana

Objective: The purpose of this study was to gain qualitative feedback on trauma team performance at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), Guyana. Awareness of participants' self-identified strengths, weakness and areas for improvement can guide future trauma team training programmes and local interventions. Methods: This was a qualitative study. Ten health professionals working in trauma care at GPHC participated voluntarily. Participants filled out an anonymous questionnaire using the components of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis, and took part in a focus group discussion. Two researchers reviewed the qualitative data individually. Coding was agreed upon and data reduction occurred. Results: The SWOT questionnaires identified a lack of material and human resources as barriers to optimal care during trauma scenarios. The focus group discussion identified issues related to team communication, cooperation, organization and training. Participants acknowledged the need to address hierarchies and pre-existing attitudes between different health professionals. They agreed that to maintain consistency in performance and patient care, the trauma team training (TTT) course or an equivalent should be mandatory for all team members. Conclusions: Qualitative feedback from trauma team members revealed that poor inter-professional communication and limited teamwork skills are considered major barriers to optimal team performance in trauma scenarios at GPHC. In addition to having all trauma staff complete a team training programme, an additional focus on communication skills and inter-professional collegiality will address participants' self-identified areas for improvement.