Analysis of factors affecting organizational engagement between pre-hospital and hospital emergency departments: a qualitative study
Dublin Core
Title
Analysis of factors affecting organizational engagement between pre-hospital and hospital emergency departments: a qualitative study
Subject
Emergency, Hospital, Pre-hospital, Organizational challenges, Organizational engagement, Health system
Description
Introduction The provision of efficient and integrated emergency services constitutes a vital cornerstone for
reducing mortality rates and improving clinical outcomes for patients and casualties within complex healthcare
systems. Effective engagement between hospital-based and pre-hospital emergency services is crucial for the
delivery of higher quality and more appropriate patient care. This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the
factors affecting organizational engagement between pre-hospital and hospital emergency departments.
Methods This was a qualitative study employing a conventional content analysis approach, conducted across pre-
hospital emergency services and affiliated educational hospitals of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences,
Iran, in 2025. Participants included 38 experienced stakeholders in the field, encompassing managers, supervisors,
physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians. These individuals were selected using purposive sampling
until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subsequently
analyzed using MAXQDA software (Version 22). The credibility and trustworthiness of the findings were assessed
according to Lincoln and Guba’s criteria.
Results Data analysis revealed that organizational interaction between pre-hospital and hospital emergency
services faced significant barriers, primarily attributable to poor managerial coordination, cognitive and professional
limitations, and gaps in clinical practice. Specifically, the lack of effective inter-organizational communication, weak
leadership in conflict resolution, and insufficient structural and human resource support were identified as key
managerial obstacles. In the domain of cognitive and professional limitations, negative attitudes, knowledge and skills
gaps, and decision-making biases—often arising under conditions of high workload or limited information—were
found to reduce mutual understanding and collaboration between personnel across the two sectors. Regarding
clinical practice gaps, the absence of standardized patient handover protocols, inconsistencies in the implementation
of care processes, and deficiencies in initial clinical assessments disrupted care continuity and diminished overall
service quality.
reducing mortality rates and improving clinical outcomes for patients and casualties within complex healthcare
systems. Effective engagement between hospital-based and pre-hospital emergency services is crucial for the
delivery of higher quality and more appropriate patient care. This study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the
factors affecting organizational engagement between pre-hospital and hospital emergency departments.
Methods This was a qualitative study employing a conventional content analysis approach, conducted across pre-
hospital emergency services and affiliated educational hospitals of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences,
Iran, in 2025. Participants included 38 experienced stakeholders in the field, encompassing managers, supervisors,
physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians. These individuals were selected using purposive sampling
until data saturation was achieved. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and subsequently
analyzed using MAXQDA software (Version 22). The credibility and trustworthiness of the findings were assessed
according to Lincoln and Guba’s criteria.
Results Data analysis revealed that organizational interaction between pre-hospital and hospital emergency
services faced significant barriers, primarily attributable to poor managerial coordination, cognitive and professional
limitations, and gaps in clinical practice. Specifically, the lack of effective inter-organizational communication, weak
leadership in conflict resolution, and insufficient structural and human resource support were identified as key
managerial obstacles. In the domain of cognitive and professional limitations, negative attitudes, knowledge and skills
gaps, and decision-making biases—often arising under conditions of high workload or limited information—were
found to reduce mutual understanding and collaboration between personnel across the two sectors. Regarding
clinical practice gaps, the absence of standardized patient handover protocols, inconsistencies in the implementation
of care processes, and deficiencies in initial clinical assessments disrupted care continuity and diminished overall
service quality.
Creator
Najmeh Baghian1
, Mohammad Sadegh Abolhasani2
, Somayeh Bagheri3
, Ali Zare Horoki4
and Adel Eftekhari5*
, Mohammad Sadegh Abolhasani2
, Somayeh Bagheri3
, Ali Zare Horoki4
and Adel Eftekhari5*
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-025-01444-0
Date
2026
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Najmeh Baghian1
, Mohammad Sadegh Abolhasani2
, Somayeh Bagheri3
, Ali Zare Horoki4
and Adel Eftekhari5*, “Analysis of factors affecting organizational engagement between pre-hospital and hospital emergency departments: a qualitative study,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12047.