Experiential Learning for Psychomotor Skills Development of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Students: An Action Research

Abstract

\n Background\n\nExperiential learning is useful for fostering the development of a wide range of clinical and relational skills. This study aimed to determine the usefulness of experiential learning for psychomotor skills development of emergency medical system (EMS) students.\nMethods\n\nAn action research approach was used because it is useful for linking theory with action and practice. FISDAP tool was used to assess and monitor students’ performance and competencies achievement in psychomotor skills. The study was conducted at Prince Sultan College for Emergency Medical Services (PSCEMS), King Saud University (KSU). Skills Performance of 71 EMS students were analysed in the experiential learning implemented throughout the curriculum over 3 years.\nResults\n\nThe finding indicates that the students’ skills performance fall below the minimum requirement during the clinical practicum and significantly improved during the time of internship period. The overall success rate across range between 26.58–35.74% across all the psychomotor skills. Whereas during the internship year student’s success rate range between 85.49–99.4% across all the psychomotor skills.\nConclusions\n\nThe findings of this study are promising and show that experiential learning is useful and effective way to develop psychomotor skills and competencies in EMS students. Educators and policy makers can use the findings for strategizing policies for curriculum planning and development.