Combat Casualty Care Training: Implementation of a Simulation-Based Program in a Cross-Cultural Setting: Experience of the French Military Health Service in West Africa

Abstract

Introduction: In the French army, combat casualty care (CCC) training involves the use of simulation. The application of this pedagogic method in a cross-cultural environment has not previously been described. In this report, we explore the challenges highlighted by multiple training sessions for foreign medical providers in West Africa.

Methods: We collected the data from six 2-week courses held in Libreville, Gabon. Our main objective was to describe the course; our secondary objective was to assess our trainees' progress in their knowledge of CCC.

Results: The first week involved lectures, technical workshops, and single-patient simulations. The second part emphasized multiple-victim simulations and interactions with combatants and was held in the Gabonese rainforest. Sixty- two trainees undertook the six sessions. Their knowledge improved during the course, from a median score of 4 (of a maximum of 40) before to 9.5 after (p < .05).

Discussion: Our study is the first to describe medical-level CCC training in a cross-cultural environment. Challenges are numerous, notably differences in the expected roles of instructors and trainees. Mitigating those difficulties is possible through cultural awareness and self-awareness. Our results are limited by the absence of evaluation of improvement in the actual management of patients.

Conclusion: CCC training using medical simulation is feasible in a cross-cultural environment.