P.A.R.T.Y. Program

A Day in the Life of P.A.R.T.Y.

Students begin their day with an introduction to the concept of injury prevention. The key message is that we all make choices that can reduce or prevent us from getting injured. Injury is the leading cause of death in youth today. Injury prevention is aimed at making young people aware of the safe choices they can make, that can prevent them from getting injured. A paramedic from St John’s Ambulance then outlines mechanics of injury, and the pre-hospital phase of trauma, followed by a Royal Perth Trauma Doctor who educates students on spinal and head injuries.

Students are then placed into groups and then proceed to either the Emergency Department, Intensive Care or the Orthopaedic Trauma Ward. In the Emergency Department an Emergency physician discusses the concept of impairment, and what choices can be made to avoid getting injured. Recent trauma cases are discussed to illustrate the point and the equipment and procedures for resuscitation are outlined.

Students receive a tour of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and equipment is explained, this is where they get their first glimpse of real patients and families. They are encouraged to "put themselves in their place".

A nurse then takes students to the Hospital's helipad where trauma cases from outside Perth arrive. Students are then introduced to a trauma patient who is in hospital due to trauma. The students are given the opportunity to hear a patient’s real life experience and are invited to ask questions about their injury and life since the accident and what could have been done to prevent it.

The students then eat their lunch wearing neck braces and splints, to experience just a few moments of disability.

Following lunch the students travel to the Sir George Bedbrook Spinal Unit at Shenton Park Campus. Nursing staff share information with the students on what type of patients stay at the unit, for how long and the sort of injuries they may sustain. Physiotherapists then take students into the gym in wheelchairs to again experience the difficulties patients face, during normal daily activities. The final presentation is a talk from an injury survivor representative from Paraplegic Benefit Fund, who talks about their life choices which have brought them to where they are now.

The day is then reviewed and summarised with the P.A.R.T.Y Coordinator. Students leave with information on the reality of trauma, and information to make smart, informed choices in the future.