We are aware that there has been a great deal of contradictory rhetoric surrounding the need to wear masks and social distance in indoor settings, particularly since the COVID Vaccines have become available. We are also aware of the political perspectives that have influenced individuals and communities. However, the emergence of the Delta and other variants of the virus necessitate that we continue to exercise caution as we resume/continue our educational efforts.
Our basic premise is this:
All participants in COT education courses—students, faculty, staff, and educators
Rather than thinking of the precautions we take as a sacrifice, we believe they should be thought of as acts of kindness towards our fellow human beings, efforts we undertake to care for each other and to “do no harm”.
For this reason, we are updating our guidance to specifically require the following:
Available solutions for each course component are listed in the charts below. You can choose which method works best for your site. If in doubt, please email staff at the addresses specified under each course.
| Interactive Discussions | Skill Stations* | Triage Scenarios, Pre-test discussion | Initial Assessment Testing** | Written Posttest |
Traditional Student Course | In-person Video conference | In-person | In-person Video conference | In-person | In-person Remote proctored (for remedial only) |
Hybrid Student Course | Online modules (eLearning course) | In-person | In-person Video conference | In-person | In-person Remote proctored (for remedial only) |
Student Refresher Course | In-person (content overview) Video conference | In-person | In-person Video conference | In-person | In-person Remote proctored (for remedial only) |
Instructor Course –Read additional guidelines for Instructor Courses | In-person Video Conference Remote Educator via Video conference | In-person Remote Educator via Video conference | n/a | In-person Remote Educator via Video conference | n/a |
* Some team type skills (e.g., pelvic immobilization, log roll, traction splint, helmet removal, adjuncts, secondary survey, Team Training/Initial Assessment) may be completed via video or as small interactive discussions with appropriate physical distancing.
** In extreme cases, these may be conducted like the oral boards via video conference.
Please note that there is NO COMPLETELY REMOTE OPTION at present for ANY ATLS Course. If a site has questions regarding what elements of a Course it is planning may be conducted remotely, the site should contact the ATLS office at atls@facs.org. For Instructor Courses, the only person who may participate remotely is the Educator if travel is not possible and the plan has been approved by the ATLS Chair.
For questions about the TEAM course, contact atls@facs.org.
| Interactive Discussions/Lectures | Interactive Scenarios I-III | Posttest |
Student Course 1-Day | In-person Video conference | In-person Video conference | In-person Online |
For samples of how Course Sites have held the DMEP course 100% online, contact COTDisaster@facs.org.
| Interactive Discussions | Team Performance Scenarios/Skill Stations | Posttest |
Student Course 1-Day | In-person Some options for video | In-person | In-person
|
At this time, the RTTDC Workgroup recommends that courses be held live and in-person. This may require limited participant numbers to maintain proper physical distancing and infection control procedures. Any proposal for a partially remote/virtual course should be sent to rttdc@facs.org for review by the RTTDC Director and Work Group.
| Pretest & | Surgical Lab – Lab presentation, exposures |
ASSET Student Course 1-Day | In-person | In-person |
ASSET+ Course | In-person | In-person |
For questions about the ASSET program, contact ASSET@facs.org
| Lectures/Discussion | Pretest & | Lab |
Student Course | In-person Video conference | Online | In-person |
For questions about the ATOM program, contact ATOM@facs.org
| Lectures/Discussion | Dry Lab | Wet Lab |
BEST Workshop | In-person | In-person | In-person |
BEST Course | In-person | In-person | In-person |
For questions about the BEST program, contact BEST@facs.org.