The state of emergency medical technician education in Ghana

Abstract

Objective The National Ambulance Service (NAS) provides emergency medical services throughout Ghana and trains emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at the NAS Prehospital Emergency Care Training School (PECTS). Currently the majority of EMT training occurs primarily in a traditional didactic format. Students and faculty were interviewed to better understand their views of the current curriculum. Additionally, any barriers to integration of simulation-based learning were assessed. Following the interviews, the faculty was trained to conduct obstetric and neonatal simulations. The faculty was then observed introducing the simulations to the EMT students. Methods A standardized list of questions developed in consultation with an education expert was used to elicit student and faculty expression of opinion. Interviews were conducted in-person in small group settings. Training sessions were conducted in-person in large group settings. Results Students and faculty alike expressed pride in their work and 14/25 groups felt that teaching efforts were high. However, students verbalized concern involving their lack of rest (12/18) and the high volume of lectures per day (11/18). Both students and faculty felt limited by the lack of simulation tools (17/25), library resources (14/25), internet access (17/25), and infrastructure (20/25). All groups felt favorably towards the integration of simulation-based learning (25/25). Conclusion The faculty and students of PECTS support the transition from a curriculum based on traditional didactic learning to one based on simulation learning.

Evaluating the prerequisites for adapting a paediatric nighttime telemedicine and medication delivery service to a setting with high malarial burden: A cross‐sectional pre‐implementation study

“…Innovations are needed to increase early access to basic medications and fluids, especially at night when access is lowest. The Ghana National Ambulance Service (NAS) has prioritised timely care through the development of a pre-hospital emergency care training school, the operation of 290 EMS stations and the purchase of 307 new ambulances [7]; however, the endeavour has exposed unanticipated costs that limit sustainability and scalability [17,18]. NAS personnel and the Ghanaian public have expressed concern over NAS resources and ability to respond [18,19].…”

“…The Ghana National Ambulance Service (NAS) has prioritised timely care through the development of a pre-hospital emergency care training school, the operation of 290 EMS stations and the purchase of 307 new ambulances [7]; however, the endeavour has exposed unanticipated costs that limit sustainability and scalability [17,18]. NAS personnel and the Ghanaian public have expressed concern over NAS resources and ability to respond [18,19]. Currently, a major challenge facing NAS is how to prevent and manage pre-emergency cases that consume resources intended for emergencies [20].…”