Effect of Mass Casualty Training Program on Prehospital Care Staff in Kuwait

摘要

Background: An intensive training is required for prehospital staff, emergency medical technicians and paramedics to deal with major incidents. Despite the fact that Kuwait has experienced many major incidents and located into a politically conflict zone, there is no standardized preparedness training for prehospital care providers to disasters or major incidents. This study aimed to assess the effect of a training intervention in improving the knowledge and awareness of EMTs and paramedics in the Kuwait Emergency Medical Service (KEMS). Methods: An interventional study was conducted in Kuwait Emergency Medical Services. Thirty-one participants from different ambulance districts were included in two educational interventions. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), t -test, and one-way ANOVA test were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean score was significantly higher immediately after first training program (18.2; standard error (SE):1.9) than before (12.4; SE: 2.8) ( P 0.001). The mean score three months later was significantly higher (19.8; SE: 0.5) immediately after the intervention program ( P 0.001). Conclusion: The primary aim of improving preparedness among prehospital care providers was achieved through the training program. The tests results showed an improvement in score achieved by the participating prehospital care providers. This type of training courses would increase the competency and the confidence of prehospital care providers in providing emergency services.