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. 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 Abrahamsen  1 , Stephen J M Sollid  2 , Lennart S Öhlund  3 , Jo Røislien  4 , Gunnar Tschudi Bondevik  5
Affiliations

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.

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.

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Figures

Figure 1
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
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
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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