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Background: Research on prehospital work indicates that paediatric airway management is neither straightforward nor simple. The prehospital expertise available in the field is inconsistent, and there is no standardisation of prehospital healthcare competence across the Nordic region. Objective: To enhance our knowledge about prehospital healthcare personnel’s perceptions of professional and interactive competencies within the service with respect to paediatric airway management. Method: We employed a qualitative design and conducted three focus group interviews with five, seven and eight informants respectively. They represented eight different ambulance stations and medical centres in Central Norway. Our analysis was based on an inductive approach. Results: The study demonstrates general apprehension with respect to paediatric airway management, particularly in critical emergencies. The informants also lacked confidence in using medical equipment such as bag valve masks. The informants felt they had received insufficient top-up training and were inadequately prepared for following procedures and for collaborating with other personnel. Conclusion: The study suggests that there may be a need to enhance competencies in order to optimise the prehospital treatment of children with acute and critical respiratory problems. The informants were looking for high-volume training, internships and simulations in order to maintain their professional and interactive competencies.

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