Assessment of nationally registered emergency medical technician certification training in the United States: the LEADS Project. Longitudinal Emergency Medical Technician Attributes Demo-graphic Study.

Objectives: To describe the adequacy and characteristics of emergency medical services education as assessed by a population-based sample of emergency medical technician (EMT)-basics and EMT-paramedics from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Methods: Stratified random samples of EMT-basics and EMT-paramedics from the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians were mailed a 46-item demographic survey and a 16-question education survey in 1999.

Results: Overall, EMT-basics and EMT-paramedics reported that course cost and distance to the course were not barriers. The majority of EMT-basic and EMT-paramedic respondents rated their course instructors and course materials as excellent or very good. EMT-basic and EMT-paramedic respondents felt that they were very well prepared from their training in the areas of trauma assessment (63% and 72%), medical assessment (59% and 65%), cardiac arrest management (64% and 76%), and airway management (69% and 77%), respectively. However, EMT-basic and EMT-paramedic respondents were less likely to feel very well prepared regarding childbirth (29% and 44%) and pediatric patient management (36% and 38%). Overall, EMT-paramedics were more likely to report being very well prepared for clinical activities and tasks from their training compared with EMT-basics.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that EMT-basics and EMT-paramedics were satisfied and felt well prepared by their certification courses. Opportunities to improve certification training exist, particularly related to childbirth and pediatric patient management.