Determining Job Competency of Patient Transporters in Southeastern of Iran: Challenges and Needs

Background: Patient transporters have a significant impact on the rate of atonement and property of hospital services. They have several duties in hospitals; therefore, managing them and ensuring their abilities plays a significant role in increasing patient satisfaction. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the thrust competencies of patient transporters. Methods: This study was an exploratory mixed method carried out in two phases in 2021. In the first phase, different competencies required for hospital workers were identified by interviews. In the next phase, the status of patient transporters job competencies was assessed through observation and using a checklist in the teaching hospitals in southeast of Iran. The data from the interviews and the checklist were analyzed using Max QDA 20 and SPSS 22 software, respectively. It should be noted that all interviews were conducted between March 2021 and August 2021. Results: The patient transporter’ job skill was divided into the two main categories of common and specialized skills as well as the six sub-categories of communication, esteem, conduct, chastisement, displacement and transfer, and trade notice based on the findings of the qualitative state. According to the findings, sanitarium porters scored higher in terms of maintaining presentable appearances, cleanliness, and hygiene; however, they received lower scores in terms of fitting the patients before moving them and showing an amicable behavior toward them. Conclusions: The results highlighted the need to strengthen the general and specialized skills of patient transporters by adopting different methods. To this end, it was suggested that training courses should be carried out in order to help patient transporters perform their duties more appropriately. It was also recommended that health system managers should increase their awareness of the important role played by patient transporters in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the hospitals.