Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval

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dc.contributor.advisorStassen, Willem
dc.contributor.advisorLambert, Craig
dc.contributor.authorVan Rensburg, Louis
dc.date.accessioned2026-02-02T07:43:07Z
dc.date.available2026-02-02T07:43:07Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2026-02-02T06:59:23Z
dc.description.abstractThe interfacility transfer of critically ill patients is a crucial component of emergency healthcare in South Africa, necessitated by disparities in healthcare infrastructure, specialist availability, and geographic constraints. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facilitate these transfers, often requiring specialised Critical Care Retrieval (CCR) teams. Despite its significance, there is no standardised CCR training in South Africa, leading to inconsistencies in provider competence and patient outcomes. Aim of the Study: This research sought to design and validate a contextually relevant and competency-driven curriculum for adult CCR in South Africa. The proposed curriculum aims to enhance the knowledge, clinical proficiency, and decision-making skills of EMS practitioners involved in critical care transport. Methods: A multi-methods approach was used across four phases: 1. Scoping Review: Local and international CCR curricula were analysed to identify best practices and essential competencies. 2. Retrospective Case Review: A three-year analysis of Western Cape EMS patient care records (2018–2020) provided insights into the characteristics and needs of CCR patients. 3. Qualitative Study: Semi-structured interviews with CCR experts and focus groups with EMS learners were conducted to explore training gaps and competency needs. 4. Delphi Study: A panel of 83 experts participated in an iterative consensus-building process to refine and validate curriculum content and learning objectives. Results: Findings revealed systemic deficiencies in EMS training for CCR, including inadequate exposure to critical care principles, ventilation strategies, interfacility transport physiology, and non-technical skills such as leadership and clinical decision-making. The final curriculum framework includes modules on intensive care principles, advanced patient monitoring, procedural interventions, transport logistics, and evidence-based best practices. The curriculum aligns with NQF Level 8 and incorporates blended learning methodologies, including high-fidelity simulations and supervised clinical exposure. Conclusion: This study presents the first structured and standardised CCR curriculum for South African EMS, bridging key knowledge and skill gaps while aligning with international best practices. Its implementation could professionalise CCR, establish it as a recognised EMS specialisation, and improve patient safety and outcomes. Future research should focus on implementation strategies, faculty development, and long-term evaluation of its impact on patient care and system efficiency.
dc.identifier.apacitationVan Rensburg, L. (2025). <i>Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Medicine. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationVan Rensburg, Louis. <i>"Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Medicine, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationVan Rensburg, L. 2025. Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Medicine. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Van Rensburg, Louis AB - The interfacility transfer of critically ill patients is a crucial component of emergency healthcare in South Africa, necessitated by disparities in healthcare infrastructure, specialist availability, and geographic constraints. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facilitate these transfers, often requiring specialised Critical Care Retrieval (CCR) teams. Despite its significance, there is no standardised CCR training in South Africa, leading to inconsistencies in provider competence and patient outcomes. Aim of the Study: This research sought to design and validate a contextually relevant and competency-driven curriculum for adult CCR in South Africa. The proposed curriculum aims to enhance the knowledge, clinical proficiency, and decision-making skills of EMS practitioners involved in critical care transport. Methods: A multi-methods approach was used across four phases: 1. Scoping Review: Local and international CCR curricula were analysed to identify best practices and essential competencies. 2. Retrospective Case Review: A three-year analysis of Western Cape EMS patient care records (2018–2020) provided insights into the characteristics and needs of CCR patients. 3. Qualitative Study: Semi-structured interviews with CCR experts and focus groups with EMS learners were conducted to explore training gaps and competency needs. 4. Delphi Study: A panel of 83 experts participated in an iterative consensus-building process to refine and validate curriculum content and learning objectives. Results: Findings revealed systemic deficiencies in EMS training for CCR, including inadequate exposure to critical care principles, ventilation strategies, interfacility transport physiology, and non-technical skills such as leadership and clinical decision-making. The final curriculum framework includes modules on intensive care principles, advanced patient monitoring, procedural interventions, transport logistics, and evidence-based best practices. The curriculum aligns with NQF Level 8 and incorporates blended learning methodologies, including high-fidelity simulations and supervised clinical exposure. Conclusion: This study presents the first structured and standardised CCR curriculum for South African EMS, bridging key knowledge and skill gaps while aligning with international best practices. Its implementation could professionalise CCR, establish it as a recognised EMS specialisation, and improve patient safety and outcomes. Future research should focus on implementation strategies, faculty development, and long-term evaluation of its impact on patient care and system efficiency. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Critical Care Retrieval KW - Emergency Medical Services KW - Curriculum Development KW - Interfacility Transfer KW - Advanced Life Support KW - South Africa KW - Prehospital Care LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval TI - Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationVan Rensburg L. Initiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Health Sciences ,Department of Medicine, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42805en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Medicine
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Health Sciences
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectCritical Care Retrieval
dc.subjectEmergency Medical Services
dc.subjectCurriculum Development
dc.subjectInterfacility Transfer
dc.subjectAdvanced Life Support
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.subjectPrehospital Care
dc.titleInitiating the development of a curriculum for South African adult critical care retrieval
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelDoctoral
dc.type.qualificationlevelPhD
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