Training and assessment of non-technical skills in Norwegian helicopter emergency services: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundDeficient non-technical skills (NTS) among providers of critical care in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is a threat to patient and operational safety. Skills can be improved through simulation-based training and assessment. A previous study indicated that physicians underwent less frequent training compared to pilots and HEMS crew members (HCM) and that all professional groups in Norwegian HEMS received limited training in how to cope with fatigue. Since then, training initiatives and a fatigue risk management project has been initiated. Our study aimed to explore if the frequency of simulation-based training and assessment of NTS in Norwegian HEMS has changed since 2011 following these measures.MethodsA cross-sectional web-based survey from October through December 2016, of physicians, HCM and pilots from all civilian Norwegian HEMS-bases reporting the overall extent of simulation-based training and assessment of NTS.ResultsOf 214 invited, 109 responses were eligible for analysis. The frequency of simulation-based training and assessment of NTS has increased significantly for all professional groups in Norwegian HEMS, most prominently for the physicians. For all groups, the frequency of assessment is generally lower than the frequency of training.ConclusionsPhysicians in Norwegian HEMS seem to have adjusted to the NTS training culture of the other crew member groups. This might be a consequence of improved NTS training programs. The use of behavioural marker systems systematically in HEMS should be emphasized.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13049-018-0583-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Efficacy and efficiency of indoor nighttime human external cargo mission simulation in a high-fidelity training Centre

“…There are a few simulation programs in HEMS that focus on issues like medical skills, NTS or CRM [4,6,7,9]. A study from the Norwegian HEMS showed that HEMS personnel lack simulation-based training and assessment of their NTS [12]. Various studies have demonstrated that HEMS personnel report a significant increase in self-assessed competency of NTS after simulation training [4,5,12].…”

“…A study from the Norwegian HEMS showed that HEMS personnel lack simulation-based training and assessment of their NTS [12]. Various studies have demonstrated that HEMS personnel report a significant increase in self-assessed competency of NTS after simulation training [4,5,12]. These NTS are essential to complement the technical skills needed in an intricate work setting such as mountain HEMS.…”

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“…It is a parameter of the scoring system called CURB-65, which is used especially in pneumonia patients [ 8 ]. It has been shown that its level is higher in pneumonia [ 9 ], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [ 10 ], pancreatitis [ 11 ], acute myocardial infarction [ 12 ], heart failure [ 13 ], sepsis [ 14 ], and geriatric patients [ 15 ] with mortality. There have also been studies that showed a higher BUN level in COVID-19 patients with mortality [ 16 ].…”

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“…Medical simulation is an integral part of medical education, post graduate training and continuous professional development [1]. Several studies have shown simulation-based training has a positive effect on patient outcomes [2,3].…”