Teaching pointing and calling (Shisa Kanko) to reduce error and improve performance.

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Human Factors Engineering
• Medical Education

Background:

• Paramedics work in high-stakes environments requiring intense cognitive function.
• Lapses in attention can negatively impact patient safety.
• Self-directed methods are needed to supplement team communication for error prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the integration of the 'Pointing and Calling' (P&C) technique into Advanced Care Paramedic training.
• To assess the effectiveness of P&C in enhancing situational awareness and reducing errors among paramedics.
• To identify implementation strategies for P&C in paramedic education.

Main Methods:

• The 'Pointing and Calling' (P&C) technique was introduced over three weeks.
• Training included conceptual instruction, guided practice, and high-fidelity simulations.
• Students applied P&C during critical tasks with subsequent feedback during debriefings.

Main Results:

• Evaluation using the Kirkpatrick framework indicated positive student engagement and skill acquisition.
• Evidence of skill transfer to other learning contexts was observed.
• Key implementation lessons highlighted P&C as a personal cognitive tool.

Conclusions:

• The 'Pointing and Calling' (P&C) technique is a practical and scalable method for improving paramedic performance.
• P&C's simplicity and low cost support its implementation in diverse healthcare settings.
• This technique offers a viable approach to enhancing patient safety in emergency medical services.