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Published on: January 15, 2017
Technical and non-technical skills can be reliably assessed during paramedic simulation training
T von Wyl1, M Zuercher, F Amsler
1Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|November 27, 2008
Summary
Technical skills (TS) and non-technical skills (NTS) are reliably assessed during paramedic training simulations. Both skill sets are crucial for managing critical events and show a positive correlation.
Area of Science:
- Emergency medicine
- Paramedic education
- Healthcare simulation
Background:
- Effective management of critical events in emergency medicine relies on both technical skills (TS) and non-technical skills (NTS).
- Simulated scenarios provide a valuable platform for training and assessing these essential skills in a controlled environment.
- This study investigated the reliability of assessing TS and NTS during routine paramedic training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the interrater reliability (IRR) of assessing technical skills (TS) and non-technical skills (NTS) in paramedics during simulated emergency scenarios.
- To determine if TS and NTS can be reliably measured using validated checklists within a standard paramedic training program.
- To explore the correlation between assessed TS and NTS in a team-based simulation setting.
Main Methods:
- Thirty paramedics participated, managing two simulated emergency scenarios in teams of two.
- Two independent observers used validated checklists to rate the teams' performance, focusing on TS (medical care) and NTS (teamwork dimensions).
- Interrater reliability (IRR) was quantified using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with internal consistency assessed via Cronbach's alpha.
Main Results:
- High interrater reliability was achieved for both TS (ICC: 0.97-0.98) and NTS (ICC: 0.94).
- The NTS assessment demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.86).
- A significant positive correlation (r=0.53, P<0.05) was found between normalized TS and NTS sum-scores.
Conclusions:
- Assessing both technical skills (TS) and non-technical skills (NTS) is feasible and reliable in paramedic emergency scenario training.
- While TS can be reliably assessed by a single trained observer, NTS assessment benefits from two trained raters for optimal reliability.
- A significant positive correlation exists between technical and non-technical skills, highlighting their interconnectedness in critical event management.
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