Johns Hopkins Burn Center Military Education Program: A Partnership with the United States Air Force

Introduction:  In 2005, the Air Force C-Stars program contacted the Burn Center to form a partnership for education and training for its medical personnel.  Before this merger, the military identified that the majority of medical personnel deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom received minimal formalized training and clinical experience on the management of burn patients.  The nursing staff immediately accepted the challenge and a comprehensive program was developed.  The program educates RNs, Independent Medical Technicians (IDMT), all area technicians (OR, medical-surgical, critical care), physician assistants, nurse practitioners and physicians from the Special Forces. Purpose: To provide a comprehensive burn treatment program that entails didactic and clinical experiences to maximize the educational offering.  This will enable our military partners to care for all facets of the burn injured patient.  We are currently the only civilian Burn Center in the United States to provide this type of education. Results: To date the Burn Center has successfully trained over 500 Air Force personnel.  On a monthly basis approximately 25 military personnel go through the program. Evaluation:  The evaluation survey results have proven the program is as needed as it is appreciated by the personnel trained.  Both the trainees, as well as our staff, truly see the value of this program.  The military response to this invaluable program has led to an increased interest.  In fact, an increase of military medical personnel to be trained prior to deployment has been requested.  Additional personnel and classes are now being added to the current schedule. Recommendations: Plans for the future include additional training, possible training for other military branches, and evidenced based research to validate that this type of program is a beneficial educational experience and contributes to quality patient outcomes.