Simulation as a means to develop firefighters as emergency care professionals.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Medical Education
• Firefighter Training

Background:

• Effective training is crucial for firefighters responding to emergencies.
• Simulation offers a controlled environment to practice complex medical interventions.
• Evaluating firefighter performance and perception of simulation is vital for educational improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the quality of simulated emergency care provided by firefighters.
• To understand firefighters' views on simulation as an educational tool.
• To analyze the impact of simulation on cognitive workload and professional development.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Data gathered through simulation assessment, questionnaires, and written feedback.
• Analysis included descriptive statistics, qualitative content analysis, and narrative synthesis.

Main Results:

• Firefighters experienced higher cognitive workload than anticipated due to scenario complexity and severity.
• Clear simulation conditions and constructive feedback positively impacted learning.
• Realistic patient actors enhanced stress and realism compared to manikins.

Conclusions:

• Realistic, on-scene simulation training improves firefighters' critical analysis and emergency care management skills.
• Simulation effectively fosters professional growth and enhances cognitive abilities in firefighters.
• The study highlights the value of simulation in preparing firefighters for real-world emergency situations.