PHEM Competency Framework review

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The approach to medical conditions has been simplified with a presentations-based approach prioritized over individual diseases or conditions. This is more in keeping with the paradigm already in place for the management of trauma and should help providers in their approach to care and training delivery organisations in a less unwieldy set of competencies to deliver.

Some key changes include the approach to haemorrhage control, reflecting increasing, earlier use of tourniquets and novel haemostatic agents, and an increased emphasis on chemical as well as thermal burns. We have also endeavoured to factor in the increasing public awareness of and participation in lifesaving care, especially in light of the CitizenAID project.

It remains the case that to be mapped to a level on this framework a course or qualification (or provider/practitioner) must achieve training and assessment of every competence at that level. Many organisations may choose to include elements from higher tiers as appropriate to their scope of practice, but the tier remains the one at which all competencies are achieved. It is also likely that an organisation will have competencies outwith this framework but specific to their operational requirements and hence, while they may exist on the same tier, two qualifications will not necessarily translate seamlessly. This remains the decision of individual organisations and is for them to map to the FPHC framework themselves.

Working group: Robert Andrew, Helen Britton, Mark Bryers, Steve Buchanan-Lee, Simon Cusack, Lauren Gault, Mike Greene, John Hall, Nigel Hinson, Kevin Johnston, Kenneth Johnston, Thom Morgan, Piers Page, Keith Porter, Philippa Serebriakoff, Chris Walker, Sue Warner, Alan Weir, David Whitmore.

Publishing group: Ms. Philippa Serebriakoff BSc, Mr. Nigel Hinson, Dr. John Hall FiMC RCSEd and Sir Keith Porter FiMC RCSEd.

You will find the PHEM Competency Framework here  and the PHEM Competency Framework Descriptors here.