Current System of Ambulance Services - Research Proposal Example

Current system of ambulance services of Efficient provision of emergency services in any given urbanarea forms a vital part in the overall commitment by government of any given nation in providing emergency services to its citizens (Davis, 2001). Ambulance services are also part of the larger system of a pool of emergency services that are termed to be critical. Timely response of ambulance services is a great determinant of whether life can be saved and there is a need therefore to understand the whole idea of ambulance services. The main purpose of this research proposal is to come up with a research project that will lead to an understanding of the current ambulance systems in Saudi Arabia. In addition to that, the research project will seek to propose areas that need further education, training and development within the Saudi Arabian Ambulance trust. Key terms: Emergency services, location, allocation, Time distance relationship Introduction Background Hazards, that are thought to be potential risks that endanger human life, are common almost everywhere in Saudi Arabia. In cases whereby these occasions do not lead to incidents, they are popularly referred to as emergencies (Francis, 2005). These events are normally the results of human factors, environmental hazards, as well as natural causes. Vulnerability of any given country can be measured or gauged in terms of how the country is ready or prepared to respond to these disasters whenever they happen. The purpose of the research project proposed here will be to assess the Saudi Arabian Ambulance Trust in terms of its preparedness and thereafter make suggestions on areas that need additional training. Definition of key terms Emergency services- Refers to any given form of services that are aimed at making response to emergency situations as quick as possible. Location- Refers to the physical location of ambulance service providers in Saudi Arabia Allocation- Refers to grants made in terms of money by the Saudi Arabian government to Ambulance trust. Time distance relationship- Refers to the relationship that there is between the time taken to respond to an emergency situation and the distance from the location of a nearby ambulance service provider. Statement of Problem An emergency response unit of any given country is very important when it comes to saving lives at a time of a disaster. A clear understanding of the Ambulance trust unit which is under emergency response unit is therefore important for the purpose of preparedness. Currently, the Saudi Arabian ambulance trust is composed of a system of ambulance services that offer quick response in case when called upon. There is however a need to understand how well these systems are prepared to cater for all needs in an emergency situation. In cases where there is need for improvement, appropriate recommendations have also to be made to ensure that the system can be improved where necessary. Literature Review According to (James, 2010), whenever a life threatening situation is faced by human beings in Saudi Arabia, the time taken by an ambulance service provider to get to the scene is quite critical. This is because it determines a number of things including whether life would be saved or not. Various planning methods have been put in place by the government to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the service. (James, 2010) argues that for any given year, more than one million times of ambulance services are sought for in Saudi Arabia to attend to emergency situations. In any given emergency situations therefore, an ambulance is needed at least not later than 15 minutes from the time the emergency occurs. So as to realize such effectiveness of an ambulance service system in Saudi Arabia, (Katherine, 1990) proposes that there is a need to ensure proper planning and channeling of the system. There are however complexities that are associated with this because of all the uncertainties that accompany ambulance planning. (Katherine, 1990) argues that the inefficiency and high costs that are incurred by ambulance system in Saudi Arabia can be attributed to the lack of incorporation of uncertainties when planning for ambulance systems. Matters of dynamic ambulance sector management are therefore part of what needs to be carefully considered in Saudi Arabia. There is need therefore to ensure that licensing is only done for those providers who have the capacity to deliver quality services and on time. Many ambulance service providers agree that there is a gap that requires to be filled before the whole system becomes efficient (Lawrence, 2004). There is a need to accept that the efficiency plan held by most service providers is not up to the standard and needs major improvement here and there. At any given time, the ambulance system is supposed to make an efficiency of about 4% which is not the case in most places in Saudi Arabia. Instead of scenes whereby more than one team is dispatched to the scene of a disaster, there is need to ensure that there is a swift and quick response on the scene so as to save on cost while at the same time providing quality services. The beginning part of this all is where the ambulance system of Saudi Arabia needs to start engaging the general public in a number of desirable activities that will sensitize them about various changes. Proposals made by ambulance providers should be those that put into account the fact that they are designed to serve the general public in case of an emergency. As (Leo, 1984) puts, provision of ambulance services is an important part of the larger medical services that need is a responsibility of the government. The inclusion of opinions from patients about the ambulance system is yet to gain momentum in Saudi Arabia thus need to ensure that this is done properly (Leo, 1984). Since the beginning of ambulance services in Saudi Arabia some years back, there has been minimal review in terms of efficiency that has been done nationwide. Despite engagement by so many players in the provision of ambulance services, there has been no one key body that has been mandated with the duty of managing the operation of the service in Australia. One reason that can be given for this lack of integration is because of lack of interest in administrative matters by key players. (Robin, 2007) notes that as a result, there lacks uniformity in types of services that are run by different providers in Saudi Arabia.( Robin, 2007) puts it however that Saudi Arabia does not have one the worst records of disasters in the recent past and therefore the current systems have been able to manage the situation. In addition to that, private cars and well wishers have been on the forefront and therefore surpassed ambulance service providers in most cases of emergency. Methodology This is a qualitative research that will involve assessing the Saudi Arabian Ambulance trust with an aim of understanding it in terms of its disaster preparedness and thereafter make recommendations where necessary. Research Design The research will first of all involve a comprehensive assessment of the ambulance systems under the Saudi Arabian Ambulance trust. This will involve interviewing a selected number of ambulance staff in Saudi Arabia and also utilizing data from secondary sources. Other people who will be involved include stakeholders in the same industry with an aim of getting their opinion concerning education and training within the system. Research objectives The main objectives of the research project proposed here will be 1. To explore the current systems of ambulance in the Saudi Arabian Ambulance trust in terms of its preparedness to emergency situations. 2. To recommend for further education and training in areas that need much attention based on views of stakeholders. Research questions The main research questions in the research project will be 1. How is the current system of ambulance in the Saudi Arabian Ambulance Trust prepared in case of an emergency? 2. Which areas need much training and education in the Saudi Arabian ambulance trust based on views of stakeholders? Hypotheses H1: The current system of Ambulance service in Saudi Arabia is not adequately prepared in case of an emergency. The first hypothesis will work on the premise that in case of an emergency, the Saudi Arabian ambulance trust systems have not been well understood and therefore might not be swift in response to an emergency as expected. The research will then move on to prove whether this is right or wrong. H2: There is need for further education, training and development in the current system of ambulance in Saudi Arabia based on views of stakeholders in the same industry. The second hypothesis will form a basis upon which the research will seek to find out the opinion, experiences and beliefs of other stakeholders in the industry. Population and sampling A total of 20 members of ambulance staff in Saudi Arabia will take part in this research. The selection will be done randomly with a special consideration of locations of each provider. A selected section of other stakeholders will be also conducted with an aim of seeking their opinion about the need for further education and training. Ethical considerations To ensure that this research remains within guidelines that govern a research, permission will be sought out from relevant authorities before the research commences. Participation will also be on voluntary basis and no one will be subjected to activities that are dehumanizing including asked questions that are subjective. Data collection In this research, data will be collected in form of recorded interviews from the 20 participants. Opinions from various stakeholders will also be noted down so as to provide a basis for the analysis and comparison. Factors that will be considered when recording data from stakeholders will include. 1. Curriculum issues (basic training) 2. Programme issues (content and time) 3. Assessment and competency 4. Work based learning (mentorship and autonomous practice) 5. Continuous professional development Data analysis Data concerning preparedness of current systems of ambulance in Saudi Arabia will be analyzed based on responses received from members of staff involved in the interview. However, data concerning opinion of other stakeholders will be analyzed using the constant comparison method. The constant comparative method This is a method that was originally based on grounded methodology theory and is presently applied in most qualitative researches worldwide. The method of analysis requires that the researcher takes one piece of data for example an interview and thereafter compares it to other pieces of data that are either different or similar to it. In the process, the researcher is tasked with the responsibility of looking at what factors make the piece of data to be either similar or different to others. Results and discussion Key finding of this research project will be organized as follows: 1. Entry Level – Recognition & benefit of prior learning; Valid & reliable entry tests. 2. Desire for a higher education curriculum – An equity between theory and practical; Job-based placements. 3. Review of assessment process. 4. Developing mentorship programme. 5. Focusing on self professional development, and 6. An emphasis on Inter-professional collaborative links. This will be accompanied with a discussion of both findings and their implications. Conclusion The research project proposed above is likely to lead to a suggestion that since ambulance service is an emerging profession especially in Saudi Arabia, having lots of organizational, professional, and cultural challenges ahead, there is a need to critically analyze the educational agenda and address the issues thereof. References Davis, R., (2001), Operation Desert Storm: Full Army Medical Capability Not Achieved. Chicago: Chicago publishers. Essex Ambulance Response Cars. Car Pages. 2004-07-24. Retrieved 2007-06-27. Francis, C., (2005), Goodbye Saudi Arabia. Saudia: Pretam. How Products Are Made: Ambulance: How products are made. Retrieved 2007-06-02. Hospitals H.E.A.R the Call for Emergency Communications http://www.zetron.com/data/site/templates/ZetronTemplate.asp. Retrieved 2011-07-19. James, P., (2010), The times: Ford to Offer Gasoline Ambulances in 2010. London: Prince Press. Katherine, T., (1990). The Ambulance. Exposition Press. Lawrence, C., (2004), From Ambulances to Almonds: Riyadh: Primax Leo, X., (1984), spatial efficiency in ambulance delivery service in Saudi Arabia. Abu Dhabi: Muktar Publishers. Motorcycle Trailer-Ambulance Brochure (PDF). IT Transport LTD. Retrieved 2007-06-02 News Reference to Motorcycle Trailer Ambulance. TNN. Retrieved 2007-06-02.Questions and Answers. Jumbulance Travel Trust. Retrieved 2007-06-02. Robin, D., (2007), The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Riyah: Riyah press. Skinner, H., (1949), The Origin of Medical Terms, Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust - About Us. South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Retrieved 2009-10-18. The memoirs of Charles E. Ryan with An Ambulance Personal Experiences and Adventures With Both Armies 1870-1871 Read More