DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF THE TRAINING COURSE FOR UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS ‘FIRST ON THE SCENE’ AT UKRAINIAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The EU co-funded Erasmus+ project SimS (Simulation Medicine and Scenario-Based Learning for Emergency Care) aims to improve first aid and emergency care training in Ukraine. As part of this initiative, a certified training course entitled ‘First on the Scene: Emergency Care Simulation Training Course’ was developed and implemented for undergraduate medical students at three Ukrainian medical universities. This paper details the course’s pedagogical approach and presents the results of its assessment and evaluation. The course was collaboratively designed by educators from Bukovinian State Medical University, Kharkiv National Medical University, and Odesa National Medical University, following a train-the-trainer programme led by European experts. The pedagogical approach centred on scenario-based learning (SBL), integrating virtual patient cases with handson simulation exercises. This methodology promoted experiential learning, clinical reasoning, and the acquisition of both technical and non-technical emergency care skills, including psychological first aid (PFA). A total of 170 fourth- to sixth-year medical students successfully completed the course. Assessment results showed a significant improvement in emergency care competencies after the training. Evaluation surveys revealed increased student confidence in providing psychological first aid and managing medical emergencies. Participants also expressed high levels of satisfaction with the course’s relevance and instructional quality, as well as the overall learning environment. The findings affirm the effectiveness of scenario-based simulation training in preparing medical students to address realworld clinical challenges. Aligned with national and European emergency care standards and emphasising psychological safety and reflective practice, the ‘First on the Scene’ training course can serve as a scalable training model for emergency preparedness, fostering resilience among healthcare future healthcare professionals.