The aim of this study is to design, develop and evaluate artificial intelligence and statistical techniques to predict the probability of survival in traumas using knowledge acquired from a database of confirmed traumas outcomes (survivors and not survivors). Trauma in this study refers to body injuries from accidents or other means. Quantifying the effects of traumas on individuals is challenging as they have many forms, affect different organs, differ in severity and their consequence could be related to the individual's physiological attributes (e.g. age, fragility, premedical condition etc). It is known that appropriate intervention improves survival and may reduce disabilities in traumas. Determining the probability of survival in traumas is important as it can inform triage, clinical research and audit. A number of methods have been reported for this purpose. These are based on a combination of physiological and anatomical examination scores. However, these methods have shortcomings as for example, combining the scores from injuries for different organs is complicated.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis study would not have been possible without the kind and continuous support of my supervisors and collaboration from the Trauma Audit & Research Network (TARN). I would like to extend my sincere thanks to them all. I would like to express my great thanks to my director of studies Professor Reza Saatchi, for his guidance, support, encouragement, valuable suggestions and comments on various aspects of my PhD study. Special thanks to my PhD supervisors Professor Derek Burke and Professor Fiona Lecky for their time and very valuable guidance and assistance throughout the study. The medical inputs were very important to the developments in this study.I am grateful to invaluable support provided to this study by the TARN staff: Ms