Defining priorities for emergency medical services education research: A modified Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Medical Education
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Out-of-hospital medicine is rapidly evolving, necessitating updates in emergency medical services (EMS) education.
• Ensuring EMS professionals possess current skills is crucial for optimal patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and rank the top 10 research priorities in EMS education within the United States.
• To guide future research and funding allocation in EMS education.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi approach was used, involving a convenience survey of EMS educators followed by a panel of experts.
• Data collection occurred electronically over four rounds from March to June 2021.
• Surveys focused on identifying challenges, scoring importance, and ranking research gaps.

Main Results:

• 463 EMS educators identified 2055 challenges; 28 experts completed the four-round Delphi process.
• 77 knowledge gaps were submitted, with the top 10 prioritized.
• Key priorities include defining learner/educator competency, curriculum-practice alignment, diversity's impact, evidence-based teaching, and public perception.

Conclusions:

• All 77 identified knowledge gaps are considered important for advancing EMS education.
• The prioritized list serves as a roadmap for researchers and funding bodies.
• Addressing these gaps is vital for the future of EMS education and practice.