title: EMSC program manager survey on education of prehospital providers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although pediatric-specific objectives for the initial education of prehospital providers have been established, uniform implementation of these objectives and guidelines for hours of required pediatric continuing education (CE) for prehospital providers have not been established.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the content and number of hours of pediatric-specific education that prehospital providers receive during initial certification and recertification. Second, to identify barriers to implementing specific requirements for pediatric education of prehospital providers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic surveys were sent to 55 EMS for Children (EMSC) State Partnership grantee program managers inquiring about the certification and recertification processes of prehospital providers and barriers to receiving pediatric training in each jurisdiction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We had a 91% response rate for our survey. Specified pediatric education hours exist in more states and territories for recertification (63-67%) than initial certification (41%). Limitations in funding, time, instructors, and accessibility are barriers to enhancing pediatric education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modifying statewide policies on prehospital education and increasing hands-on training may overcome identified barriers.
authors.forename: Thuy L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: Manish I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D002568:Certification; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States