Pre-hospital emergency care constitutes the initial response and intervention for patients experiencing emergency conditions outside hospital settings. The absence of female personnel within Iran's pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) represents a notable deficiency in the organizational structure of these services (1, 2). Women have traditionally been underrepresented in pre-hospital EMS roles (3). While the gender disparity in pre-hospital EMS is gradually decreasing globally, the participation of women in Iran has received limited attention (1). Notably, during 2018, specialized ambulances were introduced in Tehran, Shiraz, and Behbahan to address women's emergency healthcare needs; these vehicles were staffed by a male driver and two female nurses (4). Given these developments, it is essential to undertake further research to understand women's presence and effectiveness within pre-hospital EMS. Such investigations could focus on recruitment strategies and training programs for female emergency medical technicians (EMTs), as well as examine the impact of gender diversity on patient outcomes (3). Integrating female personnel into EMS in Iran presents multiple complex challenges that necessitate thorough careful consideration and action (4). The following infrastructure is required to ensure a safe, supportive, and gender-sensitive working environment for female staff in Iranian EMS. 1- Adequate facilities and equipment: To promote the safety and well-being of female personnel, it is imperative to allocate resources toward the provision of appropriate facilities. These should include, but are not limited to, designated changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters to ensure a supportive and secure environment. (5). 2- Providing gender-specific training programs: A fundamental infrastructural element for the integration of female personnel within the Iranian EMS involves the formulation and implementation of comprehensive training programs (6, 7). 3- Developing gender-sensitive standard operating procedures: Develop and implement comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that delineate the roles and responsibilities of female personnel within EMS. These procedures should systematically address key issues such as dress code protocols, working hours, and interactions with patients to ensure professionalism, clarity, and consistency.(8). 4- Ethical considerations: Implementing female personnel within the Iranian EMS requires meticulous ethical deliberation. This process involves identifying and mitigating potential biases or prejudicial attitudes inherent within the EMS community, while also ensuring equitable access to career advancement and promotion opportunities for female staff (5). 5- Work-life balance: To promote work-life balance, organizations should adopt flexible working hours and policies that accommodate personal and family commitments, thereby enabling female employees to manage their professional and personal responsibilities (9) effectively. The involvement of female personnel in Iranian EMS presents a multifaceted issue. On one hand, there are several potential advantages, including enhanced diversity, improved patient comfort, and increased accessibility to services (9). Conversely, it is imperative to address challenges such as prevailing cultural and social norms, workplace safety issues, transportation barriers, and the complexities of maintaining a work-life balance. Regular review and systematic monitoring of the EMS framework are crucial to ensure the realization of its objectives. Furthermore, it is essential to actively solicit feedback and input from all stakeholders to facilitate the effective functioning of the system and to foster an inclusive environment.
Asghari et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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