CAAHEP accredited Paramedic education programs are required to meet identified thresholds in the outcome areas of: Written National or State credentialing examinations; Programmatic Retention (exit point completion); Job (Positive) Placement; Graduate Satisfaction; and Employer Satisfaction. These data are part of the information programs submit each year in the Annual Report (AR). In 2013, the CoAEMSP began a phased-in, systematic review of specified outcomes and began a dialogue with the programs that fall below the identified outcome threshold, for three (3) consecutive years. 

The first outcome addressed by the CoAEMSP Quality Improvement Committee was the Written National or State credentialing examination pass rates. While certification examinations are viewed as a “gold standard”, it is still only one measure of success, however these rates are an important indicator.

The second outcome, added for review in 2013, was retention. In 2016, 86.7% of reporting programs met the 70% retention threshold. The range for retention for programs not meeting this threshold was 29% to 69% with an approximate 60% average. Reasons for student attrition are multiple and varied. Also, in some programs student enrollment/cohorts are small and the loss of a small number of students can result in a large percent of attrition. Some of the common reasons for attrition given by Program Directors and faculty include: open enrollment with no ability to implement additional screening or testing; student financial considerations; lack of academic preparation to successfully complete the course; lack of field experience; unforeseen medical or family issues; and leaving for another job or professional opportunity.

But the underlying question posed by some program staff is ‘Do attrition numbers really matter if the students we do graduate are competent?’ Well, yes it does, especially in a professional track (EMS) versus general education courses. EMS education is costly and time consuming and most students who enroll at the Paramedic level have enough EMS experience to know this is a career they want to follow. The Paramedic education program has a responsibility to provide the opportunity and resources for the student to be successful. Retention (or completion rates) is also important to colleges and institutions of higher education. State funding is frequently predicated on student completion of a course of study. While there may be pressure in some programs to enroll ‘numbers’ of students based on financial considerations, this may be off-set by the state funding return. Additionally, resources to assist students less academically prepared for Paramedic education can outweigh any income from the students.

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