Development, Implementation, and Assessment of a New Competency and Outcomes-Based Orientation in an Air Medical...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Aerospace Medicine
• Emergency Medical Services

Background:

• Traditional air medical transport employee development often lacks standardized, competency-based learning goals.
• Geisinger's Life Flight service historically faced challenges in consistent new employee evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and assess a novel competency-based education and evaluation method for air medical transport personnel.
• To improve the standardization and effectiveness of new employee training in an air medical setting.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Bloom's taxonomy to define 14 core competencies for flight employees.
• Developed an electronic database for tracking competency progress and creating individualized learning plans.
• Surveyed 11 preceptors and education team members after 10 months of program implementation.

Main Results:

• 20 orientees completed training in an average of 6.45 weeks under the new system.
• 81.1% of instructors agreed the new method adequately assesses performance, compared to 45.5% previously.
• 81.8% of instructors found the overall change very helpful.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a competency-based learning model enhances performance assessment in air medical transport education.
• This approach facilitates the creation of customized learning plans, improving employee development.
• Standardization of training leads to more effective evaluation and better-prepared flight crews.