• L H Brown and N H Fowler.
• East Carolina University, School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA.
• Prehosp Emerg Care. 1999 Apr 1;3(2):157-62.

ObjectivesTo determine whether EMS educational programs in North Carolina adequately prepare paramedics, and whether there is additional value to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree education in EMS when compared with traditional certificate training programs.MethodsSurveys were developed and distributed to EMS administrators, AAS paramedics, and certificate paramedics. The administrators were asked to rate the performance of both AAS and certificate paramedics in the areas of preemployment evaluation, patient-care skills, and non-patient-care duties. The paramedics were asked to rate their preparation for specific responsibilities within those three categories. All of the participants were asked to describe the requirements for employment within their EMS systems, and any preferences given to AAS paramedics.ResultsThe administrators rated both AAS and certificate paramedics as good or excellent in all three categories. The paramedics also rated their preparation for patient care as good or excellent. The certificate paramedics rated their preparation for eight non-patient-care duties significantly lower than did the AAS paramedics. The eight areas were: 1) verbal communication, 2) reading ability, 3) leadership, 4) conflict resolution, 5) computer skills, 6) teaching skills, 7) personal health/hygiene, and 8) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance. Fewer than half of the EMS administrators reported preferences in hiring (46.2%) or promotion (39.6%) for AAS paramedics, but at least half (50.0% and 54.2%) of the AAS paramedics worked in systems offering such preferences.ConclusionsWhile administrators and paramedics believe the current EMS educational programs in North Carolina adequately prepare students to function as paramedics, there are identifiable areas that require additional emphasis. There appears to be additional value to an AAS education when compared with traditional certificate EMS educational programs.

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