The relationship between paramedics' level of education and degree of commitment

Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel attrition is a serious concern. Two fundamental psychological constructs linked to attrition are organizational and occupational commitment.

To determine if there is a relationship between a paramedic's degree of occupational/organizational commitment and the following: (1) levels of education and (2) type of employment.

This was a cross-sectional study of paramedics in 6 states that require continued paramedic national registration. The data collection instrument consisted of demographic and occupational and organizational commitment sections. For level of education, the primary independent variable, each subject was placed into 1 of 3 groups: (1) certificate, (2) associate's or bachelor's degree in EMS (degree), and (3) paramedic certificate or degree with a non-EMS postbaccalaureate degree. Type of employment (fire based vs non-fire based) was also used as an independent variable. Organizational and occupational commitment was measured using validated scales for each. Analysis of variance was used for the comparisons between levels of each of the independent variables. A P < .05 was considered significant.

For occupational commitment, the participants with certificate level of education had a significantly higher score (88.9) than did those with either the degree (83.6) or postbaccalaureate (80.9) level of education. There were no significant differences for total organizational commitment. There were also no overall differences in occupational and organizational commitment between fire- and non-fire-based employees.

Paramedic occupational commitment shows a statistically significant decrease with increased level of education. Factors associated with commitment of more highly educated paramedics need to be explored.