Abstract
Background: In emergency situations, sharing patient information between the emergency medical team (EMTs), including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Emergency Department (ED) hospitals, is a complex process during which important information may be altered or lost due to poor communication. Therefore, in an emergency event communication and information exchange between EMTs is crucial to the collection of information. Inadequate information sharing between EMTs results in task confusion. There is a lack of knowledge regarding communication and information exchange between EMTs during emergencies, particularly in the Riyadh region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The aim of this study is to explore EMTs’ experiences communication and information exchange between EMTs during difficult emergency situations in the city of Riyadh.Method: A qualitative exploratory study was undertaken to explore the experiences of 62 respondents from the SRCA and EDs: a total of 18 were SRCA staff (three call takers, four dispatchers, three field supervisors and eight paramedics), and a total of 44 from hospital EDs, comprising 19 ED nurse managers, 12 ED physician consultants and 13 ED paramedics. Semi-structured interviews were held with the participants, who all had the experience of responding to emergencies and had the authority to communicate with one another, from February to April 2019. The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim and the transcripts were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2006). NVIVO 11 was used to aid data management.
Results: The findings showed several important factors that influence the effective communication and information exchange between EMTs during an emergency. Three themes were identified comprising central factors that influence coordination and communication using ICT between the participants. These themes were (1) the emotional impact on SRCA staff performance, (2) the effectiveness of the emergency response, and (3) perceptions of emergencies preparation. The first theme highlighted important factors related to emotional and well-being, which impact on the performance of the SRCA operation centre staff and have an impact on the information shared with other relevant staff. In the second theme, issues emerged that related to the effectiveness of emergency response, coordination and communication between the EMTs were highlighted to be limited in effectiveness. Although several communication systems were used, some of them were not formally sanctioned and some were technical issues related to the systems used. The third theme explored participants’ perceptions of emergencies preparation, and again the findings demonstrated limited evidence of disaster management training or preparation particularly between EMTs. The training in communication among EMTs staff in preparing for disasters was similarly found to have deficits and could be improved. Finally, the findings from this study demonstrated that the level of debriefing that was put in place following an incident could be substantially improved.
Discussion: Communication between EMTs not only involves the use of advanced technology, requires improvements in coordinated communication within and between EMTs in relation to an effective response to emergency and disaster. This could be achieved if the directors, managers and policymakers appreciated more fully the importance of the factors to be considered in relation to the effective communication and information exchange between EMTs, the adverse impact of the ineffective of communications , and how the coordination of services could be improved during emergency situations.
Conclusion: Communication communication and information exchange between EMTs during emergency situations between EMTs is crucial in the context of Riyadh, KSA. To improve communication, it is arguable that a clear communication and information exchange strategy would contribute towards improving services including, for example, a clearer role for EMTs, agreed policies and protocols regarding coordinated communication, a comprehensive programme of staff training, and more efficient ICT systems.
Thesis embargoed until 31 July 2024.
| Date of Award | Jul 2022 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Sponsors | Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health |
| Supervisor | Kevin Gormley (Supervisor), Gillian Prue (Supervisor) & Karen McCutcheon (Supervisor) |