Implementing Operational Skills in the Education of Combat Medics at the Belgian Defense: An Integrative Model

The Belgian Defense introduced an integrative and immersive model of an educational program in 2021 specifically dedicated to combat medic certification. The primary objective of the study was to compare final theoretical and practical results between emergency medical technician (EMT) and non-EMT candidates.

This longitudinal cohort monocentric study, conducted in 2021 and 2022, analyzed all theoretical and practical examination results collected by the instructors, evaluators and Exercise Controllers. Two main domains (theoretical and practical total scores) and three sub-domains (MED LEADER, MED PROVIDER, TAC LEADER) were specifically explored.

One hundred thirty-seven combat medic candidates for an advanced EMT certification were recruited, with a mean age of 30.3 years and a mean seniority of 8.9 years. Clinically naïve, non-EMT candidates represented 62.8% of the population. Clinically exposed EMT candidates did not demonstrate superiority in any domains or subdomains when compared to non-EMT candidates.

Some intrinsic parameters of the course could explain the non-superiority of the clinically exposed group. Compensating intrinsic motivation and situational awareness should be further explored in the clinically naïve group.

Non-EMT candidates were able to score robustly, similar to their EMT counterparts, in an integrative, hyper-realistic, and immersive course promoting multilevel processing.