Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #118822

Marilyn M. Gardner, PhD, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, STH 410E, Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270.745.5864, marilyn.gardner@wku.edu

Turnover has a significant impact on quality of care among Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. This preliminary research study sought to identify factors associated with turnover. Two surveys were administered: 1) a phone survey of all transporting ambulance service providers in the state of KY with a paid workforce (n = 137); and 2) full and part-time paid EMT staff at these facilities (n =5 62). Measures included job satisfaction; adequacy of training and professional development; occupational injuries; reasons for turnover; and intention to remain in the EMS field. Three primary areas were identified as being associated with intention to leave the EMS field: 1) compensation; 2) training; and, 3) being a paramedic. Additionally, significant gender inequities in compensation were found.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will

• be able to identify predictors for intent to leave the field among EMTs
• discuss implications of turnover among EMTs
• brainstorm strategies to improve retention among EMTs

Keywords: Emergency, Labor

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.