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Improving Pediatric Education for Emergency Medical Services Providers: A Qualitative Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 December 2016

Seth A. Brown ,
Theresa C. Hayden ,
Kimberly A. Randell ,
Lara Rappaport ,
Michelle D. Stevenson  and
In K. Kim
Seth A. Brown*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee USA
Theresa C. Hayden
Affiliation:
Department of A&S Criminal Justice, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky USA
Kimberly A. Randell
Affiliation:
Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri USA
Lara Rappaport
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado USA
Michelle D. Stevenson
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky USA
In K. Kim
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky USA
*
Correspondence: Seth A. Brown, MD East Tennessee State University Department of Pediatrics 400 N. State of Franklin Rd Johnson City, Tennessee 37604 USA E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

Previous studies have illustrated pediatric knowledge deficits among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. The purpose of this study was to identify perspectives of a diverse group of EMS providers regarding pediatric prehospital care educational deficits and proposed methods of training improvements.

Methods

Purposive sampling was used to recruit EMS providers in diverse settings for study participation. Two separate focus groups of EMS providers (administrative and non-administrative personnel) were held in three locations (urban, suburban, and rural). A professional moderator facilitated focus group discussion using a guide developed by the study team. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze data.

Results

Forty-two participants provided data. Four major themes were identified: (1) suboptimal previous pediatric training and training gaps in continuing pediatric education; (2) opportunities for improved interactions with emergency department (ED) staff, including case-based feedback on patient care; (3) barriers to optimal pediatric prehospital care; and (4) proposed pediatric training improvements.

Conclusion

Focus groups identified four themes surrounding preparation of EMS personnel for providing care to pediatric patients. These themes can guide future educational interventions for EMS to improve pediatric prehospital care.

BrownSA , HaydenTC , RandellKA , RappaportL , StevensonMD , KimIK . Improving Pediatric Education for Emergency Medical Services Providers: A Qualitative Study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(1):20–26.

Keywords

continuing educationemergency respondersfocus groupspediatrics
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , February 2017 , pp. 20 - 26
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2016 

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