EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRANSITORY RETRAINING PROGRAM FOR PARAMEDICS AND NURSES IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE AT THE PRE-HOSPITAL STAGE

Abstract

Introduction. In Ukraine, until recently, there were objective reasons that caused untimeliness, insufficient consistency and at the same time low quality of emergency medical care (EMD) to the population both in everyday conditions and in case of emergencies. Since 2017, the EMD reform has begun, aimed at ensuring the most coordinated and professional actions at all stages of the «chain», from calling an ambulance to a specialised department in the hospital. One of its tasks was the introduction of Western protocols for saving a patient’s life in an emergency and new training standards. To realise this task, a transient (transitional) advanced training program was developed for paramedics and nurses in emergency medicine.

The aim of the study – to evaluate the effectiveness of the transient program of retraining paramedics and nurses in emergency medicine in improving the quality of emergency medical care at the pre-hospital stage.

The main part. The content of the 2019 transit program and its latest version of 2024 were analysed, the main directions for updating and improving learning technologies were established. A questionnaire survey of 78 paramedics in emergency medicine who underwent a transient program during November 2022 – April 2023 was conducted. Respondents were asked to assess their own level of acquired knowledge and skills in the college (medical school), in the course of professional activities and including by means of non-formal education, as well as after passing a transitional program. 24 practical skills, skills and competencies in emergency medicine were selected to evaluate respondents. Studies showed that the college received the necessary knowledge to work in the emergency medical care system 25.1–37.0 % of respondents (confidence interval (CI) for p<0.05), skills and competencies – 9.7–27.1 % (CI for p<0.05), did not receive – 38.1–62.8 % (CI for p<0.05). In the course of practical activities – respectively 40.9–44.5 %, 53.2–56.8 %, and 1.1–3.3 % (CI for p<0.05). After passing the transitional program, respectively: 98.4–99.2 %, 92.6–94.8 % and 0.8–1.2 % (CI for p<0.05).

Conclusions. The transitor program of retraining paramedics and nurses in emergency medicine contributes to a significant increase in the level of mastery of knowledge, skills and competencies in emergency medicine, which contributes to improving the quality of emergency medical care at the pre-hospital stage.