Author Identifier
Ian Macleod: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5197-2908
Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Medical and Health Science by Research
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Brennen Mills
Second Supervisor
Luke Hopper
Third Supervisor
Lisa Holmes
Abstract
Globally, paramedics and other first responders must be prepared to shift from the standard single-patient mindset to a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) management approach when the number of casualties exceeds immediately available resources. Triage is the algorithmic process of patient stratification and categorisation which allows responders to prioritise care to those most likely to survive their ordeal, but least likely to tolerate prolonged delays in the provision of care. Responders must be confident and well-practiced in the skill of applying triage proficiently; the circumstances under which triage is required occurs concurrently with many factors that work to overwhelm the responder; considerations over personal and public safety, communications and leadership all compete for a potentially narrowed cognitive bandwidth.
Traditional modes of MCI triage education fall short of providing the accessible, repeatable and engaging training tools required to prevent common triage errors such as under- and over triage, and triage avoidance—errors known to negatively impact survival rates during MCI. Novel digital technologies combined with gamified educational pedagogies presents the opportunity for engaging, motivating and satisfying teaching tools. Digital simulation-based learning is accessible through its self-directed asynchronous nature, provides instantaneous learner feedback, can be undertaken without the need for extraneous logistical demand, and provides equivalent learning outcomes when compared with costly, logistically complex traditional methodologies.
My research sought to investigate the opportunities presented through technology in preparing paramedics for MCI triage.
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 19th December 2026
DOI
10.25958/agqa-zz12
Recommended Citation
Macleod, I. (2025). Operational preparedness in major incident management: A comparison of traditional and digital mass casualty triage training modalities for paramedics. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/agqa-zz12