Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40396163›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

Application of the Analytical Hierarchy Process in the management of private ambulance care systems in three selected European countries: a strategic decision-making framework.

Jalal Rezaei, Roya Azouji, Mina Azouji, Hamzeh Ghorbani

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Jalal RezaeiDepartment of Medical Surgical Nursing, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Roya AzoujiDepartment of Emergency Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mina AzoujiKfH Kuratorium für Dialyse und Nierentransplantation, Dortmund, Germany.
Hamzeh GhorbaniYoung Researchers and Elite Club, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Private ambulance services play a vital role in healthcare systems across Europe, supplementing public emergency services and providing essential medical transportation. However, managing these services presents significant challenges, including resource allocation, regulatory compliance, service quality, technological integration, workforce management, and financial sustainability. This study employs the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) as a strategic decision-making tool to optimize the management of private ambulance services in Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. To achieve this, data were collected from 20 participants across the three countries (Germany: 7, Spain: 6, United Kingdom: 7), comprising ambulance service administrators, emergency medical personnel, and regulatory experts. A purposive sampling method was used to ensure the inclusion of key stakeholders with direct experience in the sector. Participants completed structured questionnaires involving pairwise comparisons of key decision criteria. Results reveal that Regulatory Compliance is the highest priority across all countries (Germany: 0.25, Spain: 0.22, UK: 0.20), followed by Service Quality, which is particularly emphasized in the UK (0.22) and Germany (0.20). Technological Integration is important in Spain (0.20), reflecting the need for advancements in underserved areas. While Workforce Management and Financial Sustainability rank slightly lower, they remain critical for operational efficiency. The study highlights country-specific challenges and regulatory differences and provides actionable recommendations for optimizing resource allocation, improving service quality, and ensuring compliance. Despite limitations such as potential biases and a narrow geographic focus, the findings offer valuable insights for refining management practices and enhancing the sustainability of private ambulance services across Europe.

Indexed as

AmbulancesDecision MakingEmergency Medical ServicesPrivate SectorEuropeGermanyHumansSpainSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited KingdomAnalytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)private ambulance servicesregulatory complianceresource allocationservice quality

Identifiers

PMID40396163
PMCPMC12089139

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.