[A motivating experience for emergency medical services: the first Turkish Ambulance Rally].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the first "Turkish Ambulance Rally", which provides training and motivation for the rally teams and introduces the prehospital emergency medical services of Turkey via international participation.

Methods: Data in this descriptive study were collected using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Quantitative data were summarized in distribution and averages, whereas qualitative data were summarized in shared views and comments. There were totally 10 teams, with 96 participants; only two competitors were female.

Results: Mean scores of driving techniques, locating address /patient transferral, advanced life support, and patient-carrying techniques were 93.1, 74.8, 70.4, and 67.6, respectively. The question regarding the organization's effect on the teams in the deployed city and expansion of motivation to the city was scored lowest (2.5%), while desire for re-competition was scored highest (95.8%) in feedback results. According to the qualitative data, it was determined that the scientific content of the stage scenario was adequate, evaluations were made objectively, and participants and officials obtained professional benefits. However, it was also determined that these benefits did not project to all emergency medical services.

Conclusion: The rally was both beneficial and motivational for participants. It is considered that the more extensive contribution of the rally is the increased motivation of the workers and of the consciousness of the community.