@article{10.22454/FamMed.2026.328271,
author = {Maisano, Christine and Carney, Patricia A. and Jolley, Margaret and Klas, Joel},
title = {Improving Trauma Stabilization Training for Rural Family Medicine Residents},
journal = {Family Medicine},
volume = {58},
number = {8},
year = {2026},
month = {9},
pages = {577-581},
doi = {10.22454/FamMed.2026.328271},
abstract = {Background and objectives: Family physicians play a crucial role in the rural emergency medicine workforce. However, family medicine residency curricula do not typically prepare them for trauma stabilization, an essential skill in emergency care.
Methods: To bridge this gap, we developed a Trauma and Emergency Medicine Track (TEMT) in our residency program. We used a prospective case-control approach to evaluate the program’s 3 year impact on (a) preparing residents to lead trauma care, (b) providing opportunities to perform trauma-specific procedures, and (c) improving residents’ comfort level with trauma stabilization.
Results: Evaluation participation was 100% for cases and 73% for comparisons. Participating residents had statistically significant increases in comfort with key trauma care skills and procedures compared to residents who did not opt into this training. Non-TEMT residents were less likely to complete Advanced Trauma Life Support and enter the emergency medicine workforce upon graduation compared to TEMT residents. Eight of nine TEMT residents (88.9%) worked emergency department shifts for at least 6 months after training, and six of nine TEMT residents (66.7%) continued to do so.
Conclusions: This trauma training track appears to prepare family medicine residents for the emergency medicine workforce. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a trauma program that could be replicated elsewhere.},
URL = {https://journals.stfm.org//familymedicine/2026/september/klas-0385/},
eprint = {https://journals.stfm.org//media/ddchxd5h/fammed-58-577.pdf},
}