The Experiences of Paramedics in the Holy Defense of Iran and Iraq: A Qualitative Study

Background and Aim: Recognizing that future and modern Holy Defenses require a network of rescuers in the healthcare field, it would be beneficial to utilize the experiences of individuals who served as paramedics and medical staff during the Holy Defense to develop operational, therapeutic, and rescue solutions for the injured. This study aims to describe the experiences of paramedics in the Holy Defense of Iran and Iraq.
Methods: This study utilized the conventional content analysis method through semi-structured interviews. Fifteen paramedics with experience during the Holy Defense were chosen using purposive sampling. Maximum diversity sampling was employed to ensure a broad range of perspectives, considering participants' involvement in various operations and backgrounds in the Holy Defense. Participation willingness was a requirement for inclusion in the study, and those unwilling to be interviewed were excluded. The interviews were analyzed using MAXQDA version 10 software. 
Results: Analysis of the interviews revealed five main categories: preparation and exposure to the conditions of the Holy Defense, clinical and professional experiences during the Holy Defense, psychological and emotional aspects of the Holy Defense, moral and human interactions in the Holy Defense, and structural and educational changes post-Holy Defense.
Conclusion: The experiences of paramedics during the Holy Defense can inform policies and strategies to save lives in similar situations. By incorporating these experiences into training and response plans for future crises and Holy Defenses, we can improve performance and reduce human casualties.