Reevaluating the selection process for the Israeli Defense Force's paramedic training program.
BACKGROUND
Selecting candidates for medical training programs is a complicated process aimed at identifying specific personal competencies, in an attempt to minimize attrition and produce better medical providers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the selection process for the Israeli Defense Force's paramedic training program and its ability to predict success measured at different end points.


METHODS
Selection process test scores were crossed and measured against three different end points: attrition, national certification test scores, and training program graduation scores.


RESULTS
Data were available for 146 candidates. A positive association was detected between lower formulated selection scores and attrition rates (p<0.01). Out of the 11 tests conducted that comprise the final selection score, two had shown significant association with attrition. The calculated score of these specific two tests was found to have similar association with attrition as the formulated selection score.


CONCLUSIONS
The current Israeli Defense Force's paramedic-formulated selection score has shown association with attrition; candidates performing poorly throughout the selection process were less likely to complete training. Similar results may be achieved by implementing a more efficient selection process based on fewer tests. Further studies are required to identify the optimal composition for selection processes. Ongoing learning and research form the ground for improvement, not only of trauma medicine but of all aspects of medicine.
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Gadi
G
Lending
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Roy
R
Nadler
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Amir
A
Abramovich
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Sami
S
Gendler
Magen David Adom Medical Division, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Asaf
A
Peretz
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
David
D
Dagan
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
David
D
Gilad
Surgeon General's Headquarters, Israel Defense Force, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Elon
E
Glassberg
D000293:Adolescent; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D012189:Retrospective Studies