- Title
- The definition of polytrauma: the need for international consensus
- Creator
- Butcher, Nerida Elice
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2017
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- The use of the term polytrauma is inconsistent and lacks validation. While numerous definitions have been used interchangeably over the last half-century no attempt has been made to validate any of these definitions nor examine their accuracy in defining the polytrauma patient. Out of this setting comes the aim of this thesis- the development of an internationally validated consensus definition of polytrauma. A universally accepted definition of polytrauma is vital for accurate scientific communication, epidemiological understanding, monitoring of outcomes and benchmarking of trauma care. Without a validated and clear consensus definition, meaningful comparisons between institutional datasets are hampered and further advances hoped for in trauma research may be impeded by imprecise definitions of their included ‘polytrauma’ patients. To carry out the aim of this thesis a literature review and four clinical studies were conducted. An International Working Group on Polytrauma was also established. This thesis will describe the historical evolution of the term polytrauma, detailing its peculiar geographical and cultural differences and establish, through a review of the literature, the lack of a consensus and validated definition. Through four clinical studies it will: 1) examine the key components, specifically the anatomical description and physiological parameters, that must be included in any definition of polytrauma; 2) address the challenges faced in defining polytrauma adequately in the current context and; 3) summarise the international consensus process that has evolved out of this thesis to provide the trauma community with a validated and universally agreed upon definition of polytrauma
- Subject
- polytrauma; trauma
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1333575
- Identifier
- uon:27103
- Rights
- Copyright 2017 Nerida Elice Butcher
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 2 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 600 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |