Objective To construct a scientific and reasonable competency evaluation index system for pre-hospital emergency physicians, providing a reference for their training and management.

Methods Based on literature research, a preliminary competency evaluation index system for pre-hospital emergency physicians was drafted. The Delphi method was used to consult 20 experts in two rounds to finalize the index system. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was employed to construct the index model and calculate the weights of each level of indicators.

Results The response rate for two rounds of expert questionnaires was 100%, with an expert authority coefficient of 0.893. The expert coordination coefficients for the first and second-level indicators in the second round were 0.371 and 0.326, respectively (both P < 0.05). The final competency evaluation index system for pre-hospital emergency physicians included 6 first-level indicators and 49 second-level indicators. The six first-level indicators (with weights) were: emergency operational skills (0.341 8), pre-hospital medical emergency services (0.271 1), medical knowledge and lifelong learning (0.141 2), interpersonal communication and teamwork (0.112 0), professional ethics (0.088 8), and information and management capabilities (0.045 1). The top four second-level indicators in terms of combined weight were all emergency operational techniques, with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (0.082 1) having the highest weight.

Conclusions The competency evaluation index system for pre-hospital emergency physicians constructed based on the Delphi method is scientifically sound. Targeted training programs should be developed according to the constructed index system and its weight ranking to further enhance the job competency of pre-hospital emergency physicians.