First Aid and Transportation Course Contents Based on Experience gained in the Iran-Iraq War: a Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND Effective first aid and transportation influences injury-induced mortality. But few qualitative studies have been conducted so far in this area. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify the content of the first aid and patient transportation course based on experience gained from the Iran-Iraq war. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a conventional qualitative content analysis study; a purposeful sample of 14 first aid and transportation experts who had worked during the Iran-Iraq war was recruited. We collected and analyzed the study data by using the semi-structured interview method and the conventional content analysis approach respectively. Each interview transcript was reviewed several times. Words, sentences, and paragraphs were labeled with codes. Codes were compared with each other and categorized according to their similarities. Similar sub-categories and categories were also grouped together and formed themes. RESULTS Study participants' experiences of wartime first aid and transportation (FAT) education fell into two main themes including 'the congruence of education and educational needs' and 'managers' engagement in FAT education. The four main categories of these two themes were use of appropriate educational facilities, adopting effective teaching strategies, universal FAT education and specialized training skills. CONCLUSIONS The two key requirements of the first aid and transportation courses are practicality and managerial engagement. We developed and provided specific guidance of FAT curriculum by using the study findings. This curriculum is recommended for educating FAT staffs, paramedics, emergency technicians, and military nurses.