factors contributing to physicians' success in the advanced trauma life support program in Israel

Background: Since its introduction in Israel, more than 4,000 physicians from various specialties and diverse medical backgrounds have participated in the Advanced Trauma Life Support course. Objectives: To analyze the factors that influence the success of physicians in the ATLS®¹ written tests. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 4,475 physicians participating in the Israeli ATLS® training program between 1990 and 1996. Several variables in the records of these physicians were related to their success or failure in the final written examination of the course. Results: Age, the region of medical schooling, and the medical specialty were found to significantly influence the successful completion of the ATLS® course. Conclusions: Physicians younger than 45 years of age or with a surgical specialty are more likely to graduate the ATLS® course. The success rate could be improved if the program's text and questionnaires were translated into Hebrew.