Teaching Emergency Medical Technicians about Advanced Life Support Interventions: Pilot Study of an Online Continuing Education Course.

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) scope of practice guidelines in the US suggest that EMTs should assist paramedics with advanced skills during patient care. However, learning to assist with these skills is not an EMT national education requirement. This study examined the feasibility and impact of a short, online pilot continuing education course in providing EMTs with the confidence and basic knowledge to assist with advanced interventions. The pilot cohort included licensed EMTs (n=10) self-enrolled in a continuing education class listed on the institution's EMS continuing education website and advertised on social media. Optional, anonymous questionnaires and multiple-choice exams were administered to students pre/post-course. Statistical analysis included paired nonparametric tests. Total scores were 43% higher on the post-exam (88/100, 95% CI [76, 100]) compared to the pre-exam (45/100, 95% CI [37, 53]) (P<0.05). Self-reported comfort was higher on the post-evaluation for needle thoracostomy (95% increase), advanced airways (25% increase), EKGs (19% increase), intravenous access (14% increase), and communication (22% increase). Results suggest that short, online continuing education courses on BLS-ALS interface for EMTs might be efficacious in improving both comfort and knowledge of selected advanced interventions often used by paramedics, although larger future studies are needed.