Traumatology

Traumatology (from Greek "Trauma" meaning injury or wound) is the study of wounds and injuries caused by accidents or violence to a person, and the surgical therapy and repair of the damage. Traumatology is a branch of medicine. It is often considered a subset of surgery and in countries without the specialty of trauma surgery it is most often a sub-specialty to orthopedic surgery. Traumatology may also be known as accident surgery.

Factors in the assessment of wounds are:

• the nature of the wound, whether it is a laceration, abrasion, bruise or burn
• the size of the wound in length, width and depth
• the extent of the overall area of tissue damage caused by the impact of a mechanical force, or the reaction to chemical agents in, for example, fires or exposure to caustic substances.

Forensic physicians, as well as pathologists may also be required to examine (traumatic) wounds on people.

The International Journal of Traumatology

The field of trauma research and practice focusing on psychological trauma has also been called Traumatic Stress Studies and Psychotraumatology. The first use of traumatology as a field representing this broader psychosocial meaning was published in Helping the Hurt Child.

Traumatology can also refer to the study, development and application of psychological and counseling services for people who have experienced extreme events.

See also

• Trauma surgery
• Journal of Injury and Violence Research

External links

• Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma
• European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
• Journal of Injury and Violence Research
• Trauma.org (trauma resources for medical professionals)