Experiences of nurses involved in air ambulance service: a qualitative study
Dublin Core
Title
Experiences of nurses involved in air ambulance service: a qualitative study
Subject
air ambulance service, content analysis, experience, nurse
Description
Introduction: Nurses undertaking air ambulance service encounter environmental, equipment, and personnel
limitations during their work. Moreover, they must cope with various types of injuries and illnesses, as well as changes
in patient conditions. These factors pose a significant pressure on nurses. Currently, there is a lack of qualitative
research on the experiences of nurses performing air ambulance tasks. The purpose of this study is to explore the
experiences of nurses undertaking air ambulance service, with a focus on capturing their personal perceptions
regarding this field of work.
Methods: Twelve nurses were selected using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted
to collect data. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: The analysis identified three major themes: "Ambiguous and risky emergency missions," "Challenges during
air transfer," and "Nurses’ personal limitations.” Eight categories were formulated within these themes, including
"Mission uncertainty," “Urgency of medical conditions," “Hazards at high altitude," "Cabin environment limitations,"
"Inadequate equipment," "Incomprehensive operating mechanisms," "Physical discomfort," and "Recognition of
professional shortcomings."
Conclusions: Improving the performance and well-being of nurses engaged in air ambulance services necessitates
the implementation of a psychological adaptation program. This includes the utilization of psychological stress
assessment tools or engaging in role-playing activities. Successful patient rescues demand the establishment of
comprehensive standard operating procedures, involving an interprofessional team. Supporting nurses in adeptly
managing challenges during air ambulance services requires an expanded scope of education and training, facilitated
through initiatives like situational simulation and similar approaches.
limitations during their work. Moreover, they must cope with various types of injuries and illnesses, as well as changes
in patient conditions. These factors pose a significant pressure on nurses. Currently, there is a lack of qualitative
research on the experiences of nurses performing air ambulance tasks. The purpose of this study is to explore the
experiences of nurses undertaking air ambulance service, with a focus on capturing their personal perceptions
regarding this field of work.
Methods: Twelve nurses were selected using purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews were conducted
to collect data. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results: The analysis identified three major themes: "Ambiguous and risky emergency missions," "Challenges during
air transfer," and "Nurses’ personal limitations.” Eight categories were formulated within these themes, including
"Mission uncertainty," “Urgency of medical conditions," “Hazards at high altitude," "Cabin environment limitations,"
"Inadequate equipment," "Incomprehensive operating mechanisms," "Physical discomfort," and "Recognition of
professional shortcomings."
Conclusions: Improving the performance and well-being of nurses engaged in air ambulance services necessitates
the implementation of a psychological adaptation program. This includes the utilization of psychological stress
assessment tools or engaging in role-playing activities. Successful patient rescues demand the establishment of
comprehensive standard operating procedures, involving an interprofessional team. Supporting nurses in adeptly
managing challenges during air ambulance services requires an expanded scope of education and training, facilitated
through initiatives like situational simulation and similar approaches.
Creator
Kuei-Ying Wang1
, Fang-Wen Hu2
, Shu-Chen Yu3,*
, Yohana Yobelina Lin4
, And Chien-Ying
Han5
, Fang-Wen Hu2
, Shu-Chen Yu3,*
, Yohana Yobelina Lin4
, And Chien-Ying
Han5
Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v19i1.50175
Date
5 February 2024
Contributor
peri irawan
Format
pdf
Language
english
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Kuei-Ying Wang1
, Fang-Wen Hu2
, Shu-Chen Yu3,*
, Yohana Yobelina Lin4
, And Chien-Ying
Han5, “Experiences of nurses involved in air ambulance service: a qualitative study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed February 21, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/10998.