J Korean Soc Emerg Med.  2018 Apr;29(2):136-143. 10.0000/jksem.2018.29.2.136.

Delphi study to achieve consensus for the development strategies of emergency medical services system preparing for reunification of Korea

• Park GJ
• Lee KW
• Kong SY
• Ahn KO
• Wi DH
• Ro YS
• Shin SD

• KMID: 2435532
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jksem.2018.29.2.136

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to achieve expert consensus for the development of strategies emergency medical services system (EMSS) after reunification of Korean using the Delphi method.
METHODS
The Delphi study was performed through several rounds from January to February in 2017. Experts who have experiences of emergency medical support in North Korea and developing countries participated in the study. Respondents were asked to express their level of agreement following 7 categories: (1) emergency medical manpower, (2) communication system, (3) emergency facilities, (4) patient transfer system, (5) consumer participation and public education, (6) insurance system, (7) disaster planning. Score 1-3 was classified as disagreement, 4-6 as medium agreement, and 7-9 as agreement and consensus was considered being achieved when more than two thirds of respondents agreed in each question.
RESULTS
Response rate were 80% in the first round and 75% in the second round. Consensus was achieved in emergency medical manpower, communication system, emergency facilities, patient transfer system, and disaster planning for the important factors immediately after reunification within 5 years. Consensus was achieved in emergency medical manpower, communication system, emergency facilities, patient transfer system, consumer participation and public education, and disaster planning for the prior factors when the reunification would happen rapidly without enough preparation.
CONCLUSION
Consensus was achieved in emergency medical manpower, communication system, emergency facilities, patient transfer system, disaster planning for the essential EMSS elements. The consensus was expected to utilize as a basic data for the development of EMSS preparing for reunification.

Keyword

Delphi technique; Emergency medical services; Expert testimony; Public health

MeSH Terms

Consensus*
Consumer Participation
Delphi Technique*
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Developing Countries
Disaster Planning
Education
Emergencies*
Emergency Medical Services*
Expert Testimony
Insurance
Korea*
Methods
Patient Transfer
Public Health
Surveys and Questionnaires