THE ROLE OF NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS IN THE STUDY OF “TRAUMA EMERGENCY CARE” FOR PARAMEDICS

Abstract

Introduction. Providing assistance for injuries requires well-developed non-technical skills among emergency medical professionals, which ensures a reduction in mortality rates among injured patients. Therefore, in modern higher education, the pressing issue arises of shifting the focus from the technical aspects of the educational process to the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and the development of non-technical skills in future paramedics.

The aim of the study – to define the role of non-technical skills during studying of “trauma emergency care” course, justify their effectiveness regarding acquisition of specific skills and competences in the case of providing emergency medical aid to the injured, and substantiate the feasibility of their implementation for the diversification of the educational process, activation of cognitive activity, expansion of the sphere of interests of the students at the I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University.

The main part. In high-risk fields such as healthcare, non-technical skills play a crucial role. These include social, cognitive, and personal skills. In recent years, Ukraine has seen a shift from traditional training to simulation-based training, which integrates teamwork and non-technical skills into the educational process. When training paramedics, it is essential to understand how successful teams operate, consider the needs of students, and take into account their previous experience working in teams before implementing training programs. For effective teamwork practice, high-fidelity scenarios should be used in psychologically safe environments, with debriefings conducted after each scenario. Simulations in training not only enhance leadership qualities, confidence, and overall team effectiveness but also improve patient safety. They create protected conditions for practice and enhance psychological safety, helping paramedics manage stress effectively and prepare for critical situations. 

Conclusions. Evaluating and training non-technical skills in paramedic education fosters the development of team-oriented thinking, the ability to listen and consider alternative viewpoints, as well as the ability to articulate one’s opinion convincingly and make quick professional decisions. Well-developed non-technical skills enhance the quality of emergency medical care for trauma patients, benefiting both EMS professionals and patients. To achieve this, it is necessary to create conditions in higher education for students to practice non-technical skills during simulation training.