scholarly journals Management of COVID-19-related challenges faced by EMS personnel: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fateme Mohammadi ◽  
Banafsheh Tehranineshat ◽  
Mostafa Bijani ◽  
Ali Asghar Khaleghi
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Professional Performance ◽  
Professional Challenges ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
Emergency Medical Services Personnel

Abstract Background As the first link in the chain of providing healthcare services in the frontline of the battle against COVID-19, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel are faced with various challenges, which affect their professional performance. The present study aimed to identify some strategies to manage the COVID-19-related challenges faced by the pre-hospital emergency care personnel in the south of Iran. Methods In this qualitative descriptive study, 27 pre-hospital emergency care personnel who were selected through the purposeful sampling method. Data were collected through 27 semi-structured, in-depth, individual interviews. The collected data were then analyzed based on the Granheim and Lundman’s method. Results Analysis of the data resulted in the identification of 3 main themes and eight sub-themes. These three main themes were as follows: comprehensive and systematic planning, provision of medical equipment, and reduction of professional challenges. Conclusion The findings of the present study showed that, during the COVID-19 crisis, emergency medical services personnel should be provided with a comprehensive and systematic protocol to provide pre-hospital care and their performance should be assessed in terms of a set of scientific standards. Due to lack of equipment and work overload in the current crisis, emergency medical services personnel are faced with many psychological challenges, which adversely affect their quality of pre-hospital emergency care. Furthermore, emergency care senior managers should develop comprehensive protocols, provide more equipment, and eliminate professional challenges to pave the ground for improving the quality and safety of the healthcare services in pre-hospital emergency care during the current COVID-19 crisis.

scholarly journals “Dying due to poverty and lack of easy transport”: A qualitative study on access and availability of pre-hospital emergency medical services in Kampala, Uganda

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Mehmood ◽  
Shirin Wadhwaniya ◽  
Esther Bayiga Zziwa ◽  
Olive C Kobusingye
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Emergency Medical

Abstract Background Emergency care services in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) have traditionally received less attention in the dominant culture favouring vertical health programs. The unmet needs of pre-hospital and hospital-based emergency services are high but the barriers to accessing safe and quality emergency medical services (EMS) remain largely unaddressed. Few studies in Sub-Saharan Africa have qualitatively investigated barriers to EMS use, and quality of pre-hospital services from the providers and community perspective. We conducted a qualitative study to describe the patient-centred approach to emergency care in Kampala, Uganda, with specific attention to access to EMS.Methods The data collection was comprised of Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the community members. KII participants were selected using maximum purposive sampling based on expert knowledge of emergency care systems, and service delivery. FGDs were conducted to understand perceptions and experiences towards access to pre-hospital care, and to explore barriers to utilization of EMS. The respondents of ten KII and seven FGDs included pre-hospital EMS (PEMS) administrators, policy makers, police, health workers and community members. We conducted a directed content analysis to identify key themes and triangulate findings across different informant groups.Results Key themes emerged across interviews and discussions concerning: (1) lack of funds, (2) lack of standards, (3) need for upfront payments for emergency transport and care, 4) corruption, 5) poor quality pre-hospital emergency service, 6) poor quality hospital emergency care, and 7) delay in seeking treatment.Conclusions Patient-centred emergency care should be an integral part of comprehensive health care services. As Uganda and other LMICs continue to strive for universal health coverage, it is critical to prioritize and integrate emergency care within health systems owing to its cross-cutting nature. Community perceptions around access and quality of PEMS should be addressed in national policies covering affordable and safe EMS.

scholarly journals Emergency care education in South Africa: past, present and future

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simpiwe Sobuwa ◽  
Lloyd Denzil Christopher
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Emergency Medical Services ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Education And Training ◽  
Medical Services ◽  
Hospital Emergency ◽  
Care Education ◽  
Emergency Medical ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Training

There have been major changes in pre-hospital emergency care training and education in South African over the past 30 years. This has culminated in the publication of a regulation that brings an end to an era of short courses in emergency care and paves the way for the implementation of the National Emergency Care Education and Training (NECET) policy. The policy envisions a 1-year higher certificate, a 2-year diploma and the 4-year professional degree in emergency medical care. This paper aims to describe the history of emergency care education and training in South Africa that culminated in the NECET policy. The lessons in the professional development of pre-hospital emergency care education and training may have application for emergency medical services in other countries.The migration of existing emergency medical services personnel to the new higher education qualification structure is a major challenge. The transition to the new framework will take time due to the many challenges that must be overcome before the vision of the policy is realised. Ongoing engagement with all stakeholders is necessary for the benefits envisioned in the NECET policy to be realised.  

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