• P A Sytkowski, L M Jacobs, and B Bennett.
• Emerg Health Serv Rev. 1983 Jan 1; 2 (1): 11-9.

AbstractNationwide Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training programs at both basic and advanced levels are in flux, confronting similar challenges in design and implementation. There currently exist the 81-hour Department of Transportation course of instruction as the basis for EMT-Ambulance (EMT-A) certification and the National Standard Training Curriculum (NSTC) 15-module course for training the EMT-Paramedic (EMT-P). The National Registry of EMTs has established examination and recertification guidelines as well as requirements for both levels of training. The two national training courses reflect a difference in disease focus (ie, trauma vs cardiac) and thus a difference in care rendered by the two EMT levels. Variations in both EMT-A and EMT-P training programs at the state level in areas such as length of training and requirements for certification point out a need for greater consistency in training of emergency medical personnel. Evaluation of current training programs based on the NSTC has resulted in updating the EMT-P curriculum. The proposed curriculum includes new course material with behavioral and performance objectives. An ongoing system of training, evaluation, and incorporation of new techniques found clinically relevant is recommended.

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