Emergency medical service attitudes toward geriatric prehospital care and continuing medical education in geriatrics.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the opinions of emergency medical service (EMS) providers regarding their ability to care for older adults, the domains of geriatric medicine in which they need more training, and the modality through which continuing education could be best delivered.


METHODS
Qualitative study using key informant interviews.


METHODS
Prehospital EMS system in Rochester, New York.


METHODS
EMS providers, EMS instructors and administrators, emergency physicians, and geriatricians.


METHODS
Semistructured interviews were conducted using an interview guide that addressed knowledge and skill deficiencies, recommendations for improvement of geriatrics continuing education, and delivery methods of education.


RESULTS
Participant responses were generally congruous despite the diverse backgrounds, and redundancy was achieved rapidly. All participants perceived a deficit in EMS education on the care of older adults, particularly related to communications with patients and skilled nursing facility staff. All desired more geriatric continuing education for EMS providers, especially in communications and psychosocial issues. Education was desired in various modalities.


CONCLUSIONS
Further geriatric continuing education for EMS providers is needed. Some specific topics relate to medical issues, but a large proportion involve communications and psychosocial issues. Education should be delivered in a variety of modalities to meet the needs of the EMS community. Emerging on-line video technologies may bridge the gap between learners preferring classroom-based modailities and those preferring self-study modules.
Peterson
Lars-Kristofer N
LK
Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Prehospital Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York 14642, USA.
Fairbanks
Rollin J
RJ
Hettinger
Aaron Z
AZ
Shah
Manish N
MN
D000368:Aged; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans