Customer Spotlight Q&A
Life Support France (LSF)
Patrick Wick, directeur général
Can you tell us about your professional experience?
Once a firefighter, I worked for more than 40 years in the emergency services, much of that time spent in ambulance response. This field experience allowed me to see first hand the evolution of trauma care practices, particularly before and after the introduction of PHTLS (Prehospital Trauma Life Support)
Why was LSF formed and what is your role?
LSF was founded with the aim of introducing and promoting PHTLS in France. The objective was clear: to demonstrate to all emergency services the real added value of this structured approach for taking care of trauma patients.
Our teaching is based exclusively on the official PHTLS programme from NAEMT, rather than a simple trainee booklet, so we can guarantee a level of rigour and depth in line with the spirit of the programme.
I conduct training sessions every month, and our organization delivers more than 50 sessions per year, thus actively contributing to the wide dissemination and adoption of these standards among emergency professionals.
What have been the benefits of using PHTLS?
PHTLS has enabled us to develop a logical approach to treating trauma patients which really empowers our trainees to be more effective in the field, with the results and feedback from them highlighting how effective taking such an approach for all emergency responders is.
The instruction offered by PHTLS doesn’t just provide theoretical knowledge; it delivers a systematic, evidence-based approach that translates directly to the field.
Once the training course has finished, the learning resources that accompany the course give our students the opportunity to revisit and cement the step-by-step instruction, the decision-making logic and pathophysiological justifications behind the programme, so that they become second-nature.
Key Benefits
Includes updated medical content to reflect current, evidence-based knowledge and practice
Promotes critical thinking as the foundation for providing quality care Teaches and reinforces the principles of rapidly assessing a trauma patient using an orderly approach
“PHTLS has enabled us to develop a logical approach to treating trauma patients which really empowers our trainees to be more effective in the field.”
