Comparison of two methods of lecture based learning and problem solving method in improving knowledge, attitude and skills of Tabriz Emergency Medical System personnel about Prehospital Trauma Life Support

Abstract

Pre-hospital care is an essential part in the treatment of emergency patients and the proper functioning of it prevents death and morbidities. This care is typically done by emergency technicians. Trauma is the fourth leading cause of death in the world and the second in Iran and it has an upward trend.The ATLS program could improve the outcome of trauma patients inside the hospital. To reduce the pre-hospital mortality, the PHTLS program was first held in 1992. Considering the importance of pre-hospital services in traumatic patients and considering the current adverse status in the country, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of PHTLS training for traumatic patients care by speech-based and problem-solving methods in promoting, knowledge, attitude and skill of pre-hospital emergency staff of Tabriz.Material & Method: In this interventional study, all EMS personnel of Tabriz were involved in PHTLS workshops. The total staff of 144 people in Tabriz participated in 2 groups during PHTLS workshops in 2017.The first group training was lecture-based learning and the second group was trained using problem solving learning method. Knowledge and attitude of staff in each of the two groups were assessed by PHTLS 8th edition 2015 questionnaire as well as their skills by another questionnaireو before and after the workshop.Results: The mean level of awareness and attitude of EMS staff of Tabriz regarding to PHTLS was 64.69 ± 13.93 before and 79.48 ± 3.71 after the lecture-based training, and 62.56 ± 12.93 before and 82.58 ± 4.96 after problem-solving training which was significantly increased.The mean skill level of EMS staff of Tabriz for PHTLS was 60 ± 20.67 before and 79.81 ± 20.20 after lecture-based training, and 57.8 ± 18.88 before and 116.91 ± 12.85 after problem-solving training which was significantly increased.