Professional competencies in shaping the organizational competences of Polish Emergency Medical Units in the light of survey research

Purpose: The aim of the article is to identify the current level of professional competencies and to determine the extent to which individual professional competencies affect the organizational competences of Emergency Medical Units in the areas of marketing (recognizing the patient's needs), quality (level of medical services) and logistics (provision of medical services in the right place and time). Design/methodology/approach: The model of professional competencies of medical staff employed in Polish EMU establishes eight domains. To achieve superior organizational performance is very important to identify which set of professional competencies is required to gain their strategic goals. The research was carried out in 2018 in Emergency Medical Units in six voivodships. 135 respondents took part in the survey. Findings: As a result of the research, it is determined that the highest level among the professional competencies presented in the model is characterized by transportation competencies. Among managerial competencies, the following have the greatest impact on the organizational competences of Emergency Medical Units: in the area of quality – transportation competencies, while in the areas of marketing and logistics – transportation, therapeutics and assessment and diagnostics competencies. Practical implications: Nowadays health systems are being confronted with rapidly increasing demand generated by the COVID-19 outbreak. A well-organized and prepared health system has the capacity to maintain equitable access to essential service delivery throughout an emergency, limiting direct mortality and avoiding increased indirect mortality. Originality/value: An integration professional competencies of medical personnel of Emergency Medical Units with its organizational competences especially relevant in pandemic time