Preamble

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a branch of specialty health practice that focuses on the management of a broad range of acute illnesses and injury in all age groups. A specialist in emergency medicine is a clinician who uses highly developed clinical reasoning skills to care for patients with acute and often undiagnosed medical problems, that is, before comprehensive clinical or diagnostic information is available. Emergency medical services are often referred to as: ambulance or paramedic services; services that require an urgent medical response or the provision of out-of-hospital treatment and transport to definitive care  They are also known as: a first aid squad, FAST squad (First Aid Stabilisation Team), emergency squad,  rescue squad, ambulance squad, ambulance corps, life squad, or by other acronyms such as Emergency Medical Ambulance Services (EMAS)or  Medical Air Rescue Services MARS.  In most places, the EMS can be summoned by members of the public (as well as medical facilities, other emergency services, businesses and authorities) via an emergency telephone number which puts them in direct contact with a control facility, which will then dispatch a suitable response  team to attend to  the situation. Road ambulances are the primary vehicles for delivering EMS, though some also use cars, motorcycles, aircraft or boats. As a first responder, the EMS provide treatment on the scene to those in need of urgent medical care. If it is deemed necessary, they are tasked with transferring the patient to the next point of care which is usually the emergency department of a hospital

Programme Aim

The aim of the Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Emergency Medical Care program is to produce highly skilled, critically thinking, and evidence-based emergency medical care professionals who possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to provide advanced, patient-Centred emergency care, leadership, and management in diverse healthcare setting. The programme also aim to educate and train emergency medical care professionals who demonstrate expertise in:

• Clinical practice and decision-making
• Leadership and management
• Research and evidence-based practice
• Communication and collaboration

Preparing them to make a positive impact in emergency healthcare services, and to pursue advanced education and specialization in the field.

Objectives

• The programme is specifically designed to equip the student with the following knowledge skills and attitudes:
• To equip the learner with an advanced knowledge of the content of prehospital emergency medical care discipline area as well as to form the attitudes, values and philosophies present in the discipline.
• Impart the advanced principles of assessment, management and stabilisation of the acutely ill and injured patients in the non-hospital setting to students.
• Provide competencies in EMC and the use of communication systems for effective and respectful communication with patients, families.
• Provide learners with the skills to interact effectively with in-hospital and out-of-hospital healthcare team members in order to provide quality patient care.
• Develop effective leadership and teamwork skills among EMC professionals
• Provide knowledge of the principles of disaster management and how to respond appropriately and effectively in disaster situations.
• Establish the unique role that pre-hospital transport plays in the healthcare system and provide skills in the use of various modes of patient transport, including ground ambulances, rotary wing and fixed wing air ambulances as well as water ambulances to move patients from one location to another.
• Provide knowledge of ethical principles, laws, statutes and ordinances governing the activities of EMS.

Admission Entry Requirements

For admission into the Bachelor of Science Honours in Emergency Medical Care, one should have the following qualifications:

• Five (5) ‘O’ Level subjects including English, Maths and a Science subject. ‘A’ Level is an added advantage.
• A diploma or degree in a related health discipline such as: A Diploma in Paramedics, Diploma in EMT, Certificate in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS), a Medical Doctor, a Registered General Nurse with Advanced Trauma Care, a Registered General nurse with post basic nurse training in Intensive Care Nursing, Anaesthesia or Emergency Care Nursing,
• Working experience of at least two years in EMS is an added requirement.
• Registration with the Allied Health Professions Council or a relevant regulatory body is mandatory on the programme since no patient contact or staff deployment may occur without registration. Registration is the individual responsibility of the learner and not that of the University.

Duration of Programme

The Degree in Emergency Medical Care shall take three (3) years to complete.  Courses will be offered through block release and weekend classes. Each academic year shall consist of two (2) semesters. According to the Zimbabwe Qualification Framework (ZQF), the Degree is offered at level 8.

Assessment of Students

• There shall be a set of formal examinations at the end of each semester.
• Coursework shall account for 30% while the formal examination shall account for 70% of the overall assessment.
• Courses for each semester shall be assessed through a 3-hour written examination and continuous assessments.
• The examiners may, at their discretion, require candidates to present themselves for an oral examination.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the Degree Programme will lead to the award of a BSc Degree in Emergency Medical Care (EMC). The degree holder will be an academic and community resource, providing leadership in the administration and management of Emergency Departments, Emergency Medical Systems and programmes. Therefore, a qualified EMC practitioner is a communicator, a collaborator, manager, health advocate, scholar and a professional.

The course aims to equip the learner with the skills required for reflective practice. The principles of continuing education within the clinical pre-hospital realm must be upheld. Individuals seeking career advancement in the field of emergency medical care may enrol for further studies in at Masters and PhD levels.

Additional Information

• The Research Project shall be done by all the students and done during the second year of the programme at an approved site after approval of the proposal.
  • The Department of Family and Health Sciences shall approve at least one academic member of staff to supervise the student’s dissertation.
  • There shall be a minimum 40 hours consultation time between the student and the supervisor during the period of the research project.
  • The student must submit two spiral bound copies of the Research project to the Department for marking at a date determined by the WUA.
  • The assessment of the Research Project shall be based on the format prescribed by the Faculty Board.
  • The Research Project shall be assessed by two examiners.
  • The Faculty Board of Examiners shall consider the two examiners’ assessments and decide on the final mark for the Research Project.