Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) face several challenges in conducting cost-effective and time-efficient training exercises, particularly in resource-limited settings. HOSPEX TABLETOP is a low-tech classroom-based interactive field hospital simulation exercise designed to train and test casualty management protocols, field hospital layouts, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and team decision-making before expensive full-scale exercises or deployment. The Belgium and Denmark EMTs have already adopted the simulation. The Royal College of Surgeons of England collaborated with the founder of HOSPEX Tabletop to pilot this training with the Ethiopian EMT and assess its impact.

To train Ethiopian EMT staff in field hospital operations and develop a cadre of instructors to deliver HOSPEX tabletop training in other LMICs.

A HOSPEX Tabletop, customized to reflect the layout and staffing of the Ethiopian EMT, was used to train 34 participants from diverse specialties and experience levels over four days, including an instructor training day. Questionnaires were used to assess the impact.

Participants were actively engaged throughout the training, rapidly adapting to the simulated environment. They gained experience in using SOPs, managing trauma, diseases, and conflict cases, and applying major incident medical management principles. The training highlighted areas for improving the SOPs and prompted significant changes to Ethiopia’s EMT layout, tested within the exercise.

HOSPEX Tabletop proved to be an effective and engaging training tool, yielding very positive feedback. It enhanced participants’ knowledge and skills, whilst also identifying and developing potential instructors. Insights gained from the training have already contributed to improvements in the EMT’s awareness and preparedness.