Drivers of emergency vehicles operating in municipal governments: some personal characteristics and professional certification - doi: 10.4025/cienccuidsaude.v10i3.11487

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the characteristics of drivers in charge of emergency vehicle working for cities from the 14th Health Regional of Paraná, types of transport operations and professional qualification. Fifty drivers of emergency vehicles working at the time of data collection were interviewed. They worked for the 25 municipalities that did not have specialized Pre-hospital Care (PHC). All emergency vehicle drivers were male, aged between 23 and 59 years, with 9 to 11 years of education, civil servants, working as an ambulance driver for less than 10 years and holding a driver’s license for 10 to 14 years. They were admitted to civil service through a public contest, with no specific requirements for their position. Most drivers were accompanied by health professionals on some occasions when transporting patients. The  majority did not receive any certification. There was only one training course which took place less than three years ago. This study shows the need for continuing education programs carried out by the municipalities, to ensure the qualification of drivers of emergency vehicles. Also, more studies on this subject are necessary since little has been published in this field.