The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study

Background: The specialization of emergency medical services (EMS) in the areas of cardiac and neurological disorders, accidents, and toxicology has emerged as a recent challenge. The provision of these specialized services enhances patient care quality and outcomes. This study was conducted with th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Habib A. Babaei, Masoud Ferdosi, Fatemeh Rezaei, Gholamraza Masoumi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_480_24
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849393296852385792
author Habib A. Babaei
Masoud Ferdosi
Fatemeh Rezaei
Gholamraza Masoumi
author_facet Habib A. Babaei
Masoud Ferdosi
Fatemeh Rezaei
Gholamraza Masoumi
author_sort Habib A. Babaei
collection DOAJ
description Background: The specialization of emergency medical services (EMS) in the areas of cardiac and neurological disorders, accidents, and toxicology has emerged as a recent challenge. The provision of these specialized services enhances patient care quality and outcomes. This study was conducted with the aim of examining the opinions and insights of experts, technicians, and policymakers involved in these services. Material and Methods: This qualitative research was undertaken across Isfahan, Tehran, Yazd, Kerman, and Shiraz from February to August 2023. Data were gathered through purposive sampling via semi-structured interviews with 30 participants. The data were subsequently analyzed using a content analysis methodology with the aid of MAXQDA 20 software. Results: The analysis yielded four primary themes: 1. Infrastructure, encompassing key categories such as Ambulance Services, Specialized Bases, Access Routes, and Communication Systems; 2. Human Resources, including key categories related to Employment and Remuneration; 3. Medical Specialization, comprising key categories of Specialized Medical Services and Specialized Medical Equipment; and 4. Management, including key categories of Education, Personnel, Motivation, Functionality, and Interdepartmental Cooperation. Conclusion: The participants opined that the provision of specialized services necessitates a multifaceted approach. The policymakers are advised to employ a specialized team consisting of physicians, trained nurses, and experienced technicians with the support of logistical facilities, equipment, and communication systems. Ultimately, effective management and coordination within this system are crucial to achieving EMS specialization.
format Article
id doaj-art-9d0b78831a8b4df98934cdb6d618a220
institution Kabale University
issn 2277-9531
2319-6440
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Journal of Education and Health Promotion
spelling doaj-art-9d0b78831a8b4df98934cdb6d618a2202025-08-20T03:40:28ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312319-64402025-07-0114127927910.4103/jehp.jehp_480_24The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative studyHabib A. BabaeiMasoud FerdosiFatemeh RezaeiGholamraza MasoumiBackground: The specialization of emergency medical services (EMS) in the areas of cardiac and neurological disorders, accidents, and toxicology has emerged as a recent challenge. The provision of these specialized services enhances patient care quality and outcomes. This study was conducted with the aim of examining the opinions and insights of experts, technicians, and policymakers involved in these services. Material and Methods: This qualitative research was undertaken across Isfahan, Tehran, Yazd, Kerman, and Shiraz from February to August 2023. Data were gathered through purposive sampling via semi-structured interviews with 30 participants. The data were subsequently analyzed using a content analysis methodology with the aid of MAXQDA 20 software. Results: The analysis yielded four primary themes: 1. Infrastructure, encompassing key categories such as Ambulance Services, Specialized Bases, Access Routes, and Communication Systems; 2. Human Resources, including key categories related to Employment and Remuneration; 3. Medical Specialization, comprising key categories of Specialized Medical Services and Specialized Medical Equipment; and 4. Management, including key categories of Education, Personnel, Motivation, Functionality, and Interdepartmental Cooperation. Conclusion: The participants opined that the provision of specialized services necessitates a multifaceted approach. The policymakers are advised to employ a specialized team consisting of physicians, trained nurses, and experienced technicians with the support of logistical facilities, equipment, and communication systems. Ultimately, effective management and coordination within this system are crucial to achieving EMS specialization.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_480_24ambulancesemergenciesemergency medical servicesqualitative research specialization
spellingShingle Habib A. Babaei
Masoud Ferdosi
Fatemeh Rezaei
Gholamraza Masoumi
The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
ambulances
emergencies
emergency medical services
qualitative research specialization
title The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
title_full The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
title_fullStr The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
title_short The specialization of emergency medical services in Iran: A qualitative study
title_sort specialization of emergency medical services in iran a qualitative study
topic ambulances
emergencies
emergency medical services
qualitative research specialization
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jehp.jehp_480_24
work_keys_str_mv AT habibababaei thespecializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT masoudferdosi thespecializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT fatemehrezaei thespecializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT gholamrazamasoumi thespecializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT habibababaei specializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT masoudferdosi specializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT fatemehrezaei specializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy
AT gholamrazamasoumi specializationofemergencymedicalservicesiniranaqualitativestudy