Communication competency of paramedic personnel in disasters: A systematic review on challenges and solutions

Organizing communication among paramedics during natural and human-caused disasters is vital for reducing the impact and ensuring efficient relief efforts. This study examined the communication competency of paramedics during disasters, focusing on current challenges and solutions.

This research was conducted as a systematic review by searching the databases Google Scholar, Science Direct, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, Pro Quest, and Wiley using the keywords "Communication," "Competence," "Paramedic," "Emergency," and "Disaster" in combination with the Boolean operators OR and AND. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used for the systematic search, and the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used for quality assessment of the final extracted articles.

A total of 1,511 articles were reviewed, resulting in 13 articles selected for the final analysis. The review indicated that studies from various countries focused on the communication competency of paramedics during disasters, specifically in three areas: communication with victims, interaction with rescue teams at the scene, and collaboration with other medical colleagues.

Most studies examining the enhancement of communication competency among paramedic personnel underscore the importance of comprehensive training programs. These programs should focus on active listening skills and proficient written communication to ensure unambiguous information exchange, particularly in critical situations such as disasters. Furthermore, the implementation of diverse pedagogical strategies, including operational exercises and high-fidelity simulations, is recommended to improve communication proficiencies, thereby preparing paramedic personnel to implement timely and appropriate responses to disasters.