About the Polytrauma Course

United by expertise.
Focused on the patient.

An international education initiative bringing the disciplines of trauma care into the same conversation.

Hospital helipad in Zurich with an approaching rescue helicopter

Our story

Connecting care
since 2002.

The Polytrauma Course was founded by Hans-Christoph Pape and Peter Giannoudis. Their collaboration created an international forum for education across the disciplines involved in trauma care.

The aim was to bring together the expertise needed throughout the treatment of multiply injured patients, connecting rescue, initial treatment, surgery, intensive care and rehabilitation.

By 2025, the course archive recorded more than 30 international editions, bringing colleagues from different disciplines and countries together to learn.

The founders

A shared vision.
A lasting commitment.

Founded by Hans-Christoph Pape and Peter Giannoudis, connecting expertise across the trauma journey.

Co-founder

Prof. Hans-Christoph Pape

University Hospital Zurich · University of Zurich

Zurich, Switzerland

Professor Hans-Christoph Pape is Director of the Department of Traumatology at University Hospital Zurich and Professor of Traumatology at the University of Zurich. His clinical expertise includes polytrauma and pelvic and hip injuries. Following leadership roles in Pittsburgh and Aachen, he moved to Zurich in 2017. He co-founded the Polytrauma Course with Peter Giannoudis.

University / hospital profile

Co-founder

Prof. Peter Giannoudis

University of Leeds · Leeds General Infirmary

Leeds, United Kingdom

Professor Peter Giannoudis is Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds and an Honorary Consultant at Leeds General Infirmary. His expertise includes polytrauma, pelvic and acetabular reconstruction, bone regeneration and complications after fracture fixation. His research explores the biological response to injury and clinical outcomes. He co-founded the Polytrauma Course with Hans-Christoph Pape.

University / hospital profile

The international board