Diagnóstico de las Necesidades de Capacitación Continua en Atención Prehospitalaria y su Relación con las Características Profesionales del Personal Paramédico de Ambulancias de la Cruz Roja Junta Provincial del Guayas

Prehospital care is a crucial component in emergency medical attention, making it essential to identify the continuous training needs of paramedics. This study addresses the question: What are the continuous training needs in prehospital care for paramedics of the Red Cross ambulances in Guayas, and how do these needs relate to their professional characteristics? The research analyzes two key variables: the continuous training needs in specific prehospital care topics and the professional characteristics of the staff, such as years of experience, work load, education level, and other related factors. The main objective was to diagnose these continuous training needs and analyze their relationship with the professional characteristics of the paramedic staff of Red Cross ambulances in Guayas. A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational approach was adopted, with data collection through structured surveys applied in person. The results revealed a high demand for training in areas such as severe trauma, airway management, defibrillation, and clinical decision-making, along with a marked preference for hybrid training modalities, particularly among staff with mixed shifts or less experience. Additionally, differences in the perception of continuous training needs were identified, directly linked to variables such as education level, seniority, work load, and operational responsibilities. Economic and logistical barriers limiting access to training were also identified, impacting the professional development and updating of paramedics. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for designing an institutional continuous professional development plan, contextualized and evidence-based, to address the real needs of ambulance staff and contribute to the strengthening of prehospital care quality. This research provides valuable inputs for strategic decision-making in human resources management in the field of emergency medical professionals at the Red Cross in the city of Guayaquil.