Interesting to have this ‘quantified’, although not terribly groundbreaking…
Somewhat surprised that only 7-8% of the respondents indicated they were likely to LEAVE EMS in 12 months? Thought it would have been higher than that…
Notable finding that EMTs and paramedics with associate or bachelor’s degrees indicated higher propensity of leaving the profession.
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Factors Associated With Emergency Medical Clinicians Leaving EMS
Christopher B. Gage, Christine B. Cooke, Jonathan R. Powell, Jacob C. Kamholz, Jordan D. Kurth, Shea van den Bergh & Ashish R. Panchal
Received 05 Oct 2024, Accepted 18 Nov 2024, Published online: 13 Dec 2024
PREHOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE https://doi.org/10.1080/10903127.2024.2436047
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10903127.2024.2436047#d1e255
Abstract -
Objectives:
Many United States (U.S.) communities face challenges with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workforce turnover. The demands created by the pandemic have worsened the stressors EMS clinicians face, possibly changing the drivers of workforce turnover. Our study aims to understand the factors associated with Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics’ likelihood of leaving EMS.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of nationally registered civilian EMTs and paramedics ages 18–85 from October 2021 to April 2022. After recertifying their National EMS certification, respondents were invited to complete a survey regarding their primary role, additional jobs, and the likelihood of leaving EMS in the next 12 months. If likely to leave, reasons for leaving were collected and evaluated for the top reasons. Multivariable logistic regression modeling (OR, 95% CI) was used to describe the odds of being likely to leave in 12 months, adjusted for age, agency type, education level, primary role, and job satisfaction.
Results:
A total of 29,671 (response rate-25.9%) EMTs and paramedics were included in the analysis, with 7.1% and 7.9%, respectively, reporting they were likely to leave EMS in 12 months. The EMTs likely to leave were younger (median age 32 vs. 37) and had fewer years with main EMS job (median 3 vs. 4) than paramedics. A lower proportion of EMTs were male (68.8% vs. 78.6%) and non-Hispanic White (79.8% vs. 87.6%). The EMTs were less likely full-time (65.6% vs. 87.5%) and held fewer EMS jobs (23.4% vs. 32.3%). The EMTs and paramedics reported stress as the most significant reason for leaving (27.9% and 38.8%, respectively), followed by COVID-19 (12.9% and19.3%) and education (18.3% and 6.4%). Those dissatisfied had significantly higher odds of leaving (11.91 and 13.46, respectively). The EMTs and paramedics in hospitals (OR = 2.32, OR = 2.37), private (OR = 2.72, OR = 2.38), and government non-fire (OR = 2.22, OR = 1.98) agencies were likelier to leave than fire agencies.
Conclusion:
Although increased stress and pandemic-related factors are most common reasons reported for being likely to leave EMS, job dissatisfaction was the most impactful factor. A better understanding of factors that drive job satisfaction needs evaluation to develop strategies to enhance retention.
Other interesting findings:
Associates With Leaving EMS in 12 Months
Age was a significant predictor of leaving for EMTs (OR = 0.96, 95% CI [0.95–0.96]) and paramedics (0.97, 0.97–0.98) (Table 3). Education level was also significant, with EMTs holding an associate degree (1.45, 1.11–1.90) and a bachelor’s degree or higher (2.13, 1.70–2.66) showing higher odds ratio of leaving. Paramedics with bachelor’s degrees or higher exhibited a higher odds ratio of leaving (1.58, 1.20–2.06).
Job satisfaction was the most significant predictor of leaving for EMTs and paramedics. Those unsatisfied with their EMS job had dramatically higher odds ratios of leaving (EMT 11.49, 9.61–11.74; paramedic 13.48, 11.64–15.61) than those satisfied.
