United States Department of Transportation
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National reregistration and the continuing competence of EMT-paramedics
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2006-04-01
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[PDF-132.23 KB]
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Alternative Title:National reregistration and the continuing competence of emergency medical technician paramedics
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Edition:Final report
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NTL Classification:NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-SAFETY AND SECURITY;NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human Factors;NTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICY;
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Abstract:Objective: To determine if a difference exists in the continued cognitive competence of Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician Paramedics (NREMT-P) who voluntarily reregistered with the NREMT (a national non-profit corporation that provides a uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS professionals), versus those who did not reregister since their original certification. Methods: NREMT-Ps who voluntarily reregistered and those who did not were contacted by mail and requested to complete a multiple-choice online survey. The questionnaire consisted of a standardized exam similar to their initial certification test, an achievement test, and a demographic questionnaire. The responses from cohorts of NREMT-Ps initially certified 2, 4, and 6 years ago were compared. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the pass rate on the comprehensive cognitive exam between reregistered and nonreregistered groups for years 4 and 6. In both of these years the reregistered groups were approximately two times more likely to pass than the nonreregistered groups. The reregistered groups also averaged one more correct answer on the achievement test compared to the nonreregistered cohorts; this result was statistically significant for all years. The reregistered cohorts were more likely to have more self-reported Continuing Medical Education (CME) than the nonreregistered cohorts. This result was statistically significant in years 2 and 4 for the number of CME’s in the last 12 months and in years 2 and 6 for the number of CME’s since the last reregistration period. Recommendations for Future Research: While these results suggest differences between reregistered and nonreregistered EMT-Ps, they are to be considered cautiously, given the small sample size and recognizing the fact that passing an exam does not necessarily translate into clinical competence. Future research could address these issues with a most robust sampling plan and by introducing other measures of competence. Also, a comparison of States that mandate continued registry certification in order to practice, with those who do not, would be of interest. /Abstract from report summary page/
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