Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) training is moving towards competency training. Although there exist a few systematic reviews regarding the competency training, there has been little investigation on how the competencies can be effectively translated into the EMT personnel’s training.

In a humanitarian organization in Hong Kong, a competency matrix for EMT volunteers was developed in 2018. The organization relies on a steady base of volunteers to perform its services. With these competencies, volunteers can be encouraged to undertake a multitude of available trainings to fit with the needs of the organization, or for their own personal benefit.

The aim of the study is to recommend methods to improve uptake of the competency matrix among volunteers of the organization. A mixed methods study was completed, encompassing literature search, a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative one-to-one semi-structured interviews.

The Behavior Change Wheel and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) interactive system were used to guide the research rationale and to frame the questions asked to investigate perceptions regarding the competency matrix.

Data collected from the questionnaire and interviews were collated and organized into the corresponding Theoretical Domains Framework as specified from the Behavior Change Wheel, and the respective intervention functions and policy categories were lined up accordingly. Analysis of data identified a series of key factors influencing the potential incorporation of the competency matrix among volunteers. Data collected from volunteers largely agree with and is supported by the literature on adult training, volunteer management and specifically on EMT training.

Although EMT training is moving towards competency-based training, research publications on how to effectively deliver competency-based training, and on the effectiveness of various didactic methods within EMT training are scarce. This calls for more research to be done in the area of competency-based training of EMT.