Emergency medical technicianś experiences of assignments with women in labour

Abstract

Objective

To describe Emergency Medical Technicianś(EMTś) experiences of assignments involving women in labour.

Methods

A qualitative study with Systematic Text Condensation (STC) for data analysis, as described by Malterud. Ten semi-structured interviews with EMTs in Norway, exploring EMTs experiences during assignments involving women in labour. Participants were recruited via social media and email inquiries to ambulance stations, ensuring a diverse range of travel times to hospitals. Interviews were conducted face-to-face, lasting between 22 and 45 min, and focused on EMTs’ experiences during these assignments.

Results

The findings present three main categories: an unpredictable situation, lack of competence and training, and the desire to provide good maternity care while a sense of falling short. EMTs described assignments with women in labor as unpredictable and stressful due to the potential for rapid changes and complications. They expressed a lack of competence and training in obstetric care, relying on random knowledge and experiences shared by colleagues. Despite these challenges, EMTs demonstrated a desire to provide good maternity care, emphasizing the importance of communication, presence, and adapting to the woman’s needs.

Conclusions

EMTs experience assignments with women in labour as a demanding event, compounded by a perceived lack of competence and training. There is a desire among EMTs to provide quality maternity care, but they often feel they fall short. Enhancing EMT training in obstetric care and providing regular practice opportunities could improve their confidence, and the quality of care provided to women in labour.