The profile of an emergency medical services leader: a multi-national qualitative study

Journal Article

• Publication Online URL: International Paramedic Practice
• Tags: Emergency Medical Services, Leadership, Multi-national, Pre-hospital emergency care, Qualitative
• Issue Number: 2
• Volume Number: 4
• Pages: 32 to 37

Publication Abstract

This article discusses the profile of an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) leader that
emerged from a larger study on how EMS leadership is learned from a multinational
qualitative study of EMS providers working in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. EMS
is a team-oriented profession designed to respond to emergencies and disasters.
Within EMS are leaders responsible for ensuring response capabilities, which has
been plagued with criticisms and shortcomings. Different leadership styles have
been applied to EMS but no one style is ideal for every situation or circumstance
encountered by EMS leaders. The findings discovered that EMS leaders are found
throughout an EMS system and need to understand the importance of their actions,
have integrity and take responsibility. Among other characteristics and qualities, EMS
leaders needed to be communicators who solve problems and lead by example, are
fair and able to separate personal from professional.