Analyzing the Performance of Emergency Medical Service Teams in Iran: A Social Network Analysis Approach

The effective performance of emergency medical service (EMS) teams is crucial in providing timely and life-saving medical assistance during emergencies. This study aimed to analyze the performance of EMS teams in Iran, specifically focusing on Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol, using a social network analysis (SNA) approach. Data was collected by identifying and surveying EMS team members to understand their communication patterns and relationships. Interviews were conducted with key individuals to gain qualitative insights. Observations were made during emergency response simulations and real-life emergency situations. SNA measures, including degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality, were employed to assess the team's social network structure and dynamics. The findings reveal a high disruption between team members and a relatively low network density, with only 24.3% of possible connections established. Notably, the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) group exhibits the highest degree of centrality, followed by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics. These results underscore challenges in communication and cooperation within the teams, with low density contributing to inconsistency and potential performance issues. Using social network analysis (SNA), this study evaluates communication and coordination patterns within EMS teams in Iran, identifying critical gaps in network density and centrality. These findings offer actionable strategies to enhance teamwork and emergency response efficiency. This research contributes to the field of emergency medicine and provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals and policymakers in Iran and beyond.