. 2015 Aug;32(8):647-53.

doi: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203962. Epub 2014 Oct 24.

Simulation-based training and assessment of non-technical skills in the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey

Håkon B Abrahamsen¹, Stephen J M Sollid², Lennart S Öhlund³, Jo Røislien⁴, Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway Department of Industrial Economics, Risk Management and Planning, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
² Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway Department of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway Air Ambulance Department, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
³ Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway.

PMID: 25344577
PMCID: PMC4518743
DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203962

Simulation-based training and assessment of non-technical skills in the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey

Håkon B Abrahamsen et al. Emerg Med J. 2015 Aug.

. 2015 Aug;32(8):647-53.

doi: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203962. Epub 2014 Oct 24.

Authors

Håkon B Abrahamsen¹, Stephen J M Sollid², Lennart S Öhlund³, Jo Røislien⁴, Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway Department of Industrial Economics, Risk Management and Planning, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
² Department of Research and Development, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, Drøbak, Norway Department of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway Air Ambulance Department, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
³ Faculty of Health and Occupational Studies, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
⁴ Department of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
⁵ Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway National Centre for Emergency Primary Health Care, Uni Research Health, Uni Research, Bergen, Norway.

PMID: 25344577
PMCID: PMC4518743
DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2014-203962

Abstract

Background: Human error and deficient non-technical skills (NTSs) among providers of ALS in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) is a threat to patient and operational safety. Skills can be improved through simulation-based training and assessment.

Objective: To document the current level of simulation-based training and assessment of seven generic NTSs in crew members in the Norwegian HEMS.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey, either electronic or paper-based, of all 207 physicians, HEMS crew members (HCMs) and pilots working in the civilian Norwegian HEMS (11 bases), between 8 May and 25 July 2012.

Results: The response rate was 82% (n=193). A large proportion of each of the professional groups lacked simulation-based training and assessment of their NTSs. Compared with pilots and HCMs, physicians undergo statistically significantly less frequent simulation-based training and assessment of their NTSs. Fifty out of 82 (61%) physicians were on call for more than 72 consecutive hours on a regular basis. Of these, 79% did not have any training in coping with fatigue. In contrast, 72 out of 73 (99%) pilots and HCMs were on call for more than 3 days in a row. Of these, 54% did not have any training in coping with fatigue.

Conclusions: Our study indicates a lack of simulation-based training and assessment. Pilots and HCMs train and are assessed more frequently than physicians. All professional groups are on call for extended hours, but receive limited training in how to cope with fatigue.

Keywords: accident prevention; assessment; critical care transport; prehospital care, helicopter retrieval; training.

Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

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Figures

**Figure 1**
Participant flow through the study illustrating inclusion/exclusion of respondents. HEMS, helicopter emergency medical service; HCM, HEMS crew member; SAR, search and rescue.

**Figure 2**
Multidisciplinary, prehospital simulation-based training of generic non-technical skills (1–7) in 2011. Complete answers from each of the three professional groups in a HEMS crew (horizontal axis) across four ordinal categories of frequency within a year (box). Proportion of individuals (relative frequency, %) within each professional group on vertical axis. HEMS, helicopter emergency medical service.

**Figure 3**
Assessment of seven (1–7) generic non-technical skills in 2011. Complete answers from each of the three professional groups in a HEMS crew (horizontal axis) across four ordinal categories of frequency within a year (box). Proportion of individuals (relative frequency, %) within each professional group on vertical axis. HEMS, helicopter emergency medical service.

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Simulation-based training and assessment of non-technical skills in the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey

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Simulation-based training and assessment of non-technical skills in the Norwegian Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: a cross-sectional survey

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