Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T22:13:20.271Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

An Analysis of Michigan EMT Licensure Examination Results as a Predictor of Paramedic Licensure Examination Success

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Wayne G. Snyder
Wayne G. Snyder*
Affiliation:
Co-Chair, Quality Improvement Committee, Society of Michigan EMT Instructor-Coordinators, Traverse City, Michigan, USA
*
Society of Michigan EMT Instructor-Coordinators, 1471 Kensington, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Introduction:

Predicting paramedic candidate performance on the written Iicensure examination is of considerable importance to educators, students, employers, and state regulators. There has been little investigation of the available statistical data regarding examinee pass rate and examination score. No studies have measured an examinee's sequential success pattern on the basic emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic examinations. There has been no analysis of the relationship between the number of examinations required for successful paramedic Iicensure and examination score.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which paramedic Iicensure examinees successfully pass the State of Michigan written examination on the first or subsequent attempts; to determine the frequency with which the paramedic examinees pass the prerequisite basic EMT Iicensure examination; to determine whether the frequency of paramedic examination attempts is related to examination score; and to determine whether there is a relationship between successfully passing the basic EMT examination and successfully passing the paramedic examination.

Methods:

A retrospective study of Michigan paramedic Iicensure examination results for 1994 was done on the basis of a review of reports prepared for Michigan Department of Public Health Emergency Medical Services (MDPH-EMS) by Professional Examination Services. Analysis of paramedic examination score and the number of examination attempts is correlated to EMT score and number of attempts required to pass. Success in the first or subsequent paramedic examinations is correlated to paramedic score, and success in passing the first or subsequent EMT examination is then related to success in passing the paramedic examination.

Results:

Paramedic examinees (n = 869) generated a 72.1% pass rate in 1994 (mean score = 82.2%). The minimum passing score is 80%. The average score for examinees who passed (n = 627) was 86.2 % (95% confidence interval [CI] = 85.8–86.6%); those who failed (n = 242) averaged 71.9% (95% CI = 71.1–72.6%). Paramedic examinees successful on the first attempt (n = 500) had higher average scores (mean = 87.1%; 95% CI = 86.7–87.5%) than did those who required multiple attempts (mean = 82.8%; 95% CI = 82.3–83.3%; n = 127).

A total of 702 (90.5%) paramedic examinees passed the EMT examination on the first attempt. Examinees who passed the EMT examination the first time averaged fewer attempts on the paramedic examination (mean 1.5; 95% CI = 1.4–1.6) than did those who required multiple EMT examinations (mean 2.3; 95% CI = 2.0–2.6). Paramedic examinees passing the EMT examination in one attempt had higher average paramedic scores (82.6%; 95% CI = 82.1–83.2%) than those needing multiple EMT attempts (75.5%; 95% CI = 73.4–77.5%).

Conclusion:

Paramedic examinees who pass their EMT Iicensure examination on the first attempt have a significantly better chance of passing the paramedic Iicensure examination. Paramedic Iicensure examinees who pass the paramedic examination on the first attempt score significantly higher than do examinees who require additional attempts. Paramedic programs should incorporate EMT examination performance into their student selection criteria. Further study of variables predictive of success is needed.

Keywords

competencyeducationemergency medical technicianevaluationlicensinglicensureexaminationsmeasurementparamedicperformanceoutcomesMichigantesting
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , September 1996 , pp. 207 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Michigan Department of Public Health = Division of Emergency Medical Services: Form J234b, December 1982.Google Scholar
2. Michigan Department of Public Health, Health Facilities Administration, Emergency Medical Services: Final draft of Proposed Rules for Section 333.6103 to Section 333.20773 of the Public Health Code (Act 179 of 1990). Part 1. General Provisions, Rule 406 (1), 18, May 1994.Google Scholar
3. Michigan Department of Public Health, Health Facilities Administration, Emergency Medical Services: Final draft of Proposed Rules for Section 333.6103 to Section 333.20773 of the Public Health Code (Act 179 of 1990). Part 1. General Provisions, Rule 402, (1), (k), May 1994.Google Scholar
4. Hubinger, J: Accreditation of paramedic programs—A perspective. SMEMTIC News. Summer 1995;6.Google Scholar
5. Ashley, JE: The effects of three NCLEX preparation programs on nursing knowledge, on test anxiety, and on registered nurse licensure examination performance. Doctoral dissertation abstract, Boston College, 1990; CINAHL 1992:137394.Google Scholar
6. Beitz, JM: Outcomes assessment: Choosing a psychometrically sound nursing achievement test… the Mosby AssessTest and the National League for Nursing Diagnostic Readiness Test for RN Licensure. Nurse Education 1994;19:12–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Zaglaniczny, KL: Factors which predict performance on the National Certification Examination for Nurse Anesthetists. American Association of Nursing Anesthetist Journal 1992;60:533–540.Google Scholar
8. Tompkins, LS, Harkins, CJ: Predicting academic success in a nontraditional program. J Allied Health 1990;19:15–24.Google Scholar
9. Lengacher, CA, Keller, R: Academic predictors of success on the NCLEX-RN examination for associate degree nursing students—National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses. J Nurs Educ 1990;29:163–169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
10. Beyersy, JM: Nursing program and student variables and performance results of Ohio-educated candidates failing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Doctoral dissertation abstract, referenced Ohio University, 1991; CINAHL 1993:156554.Google Scholar
11. Jenks, J, Selekman, J, Bross, T, Paquet, M: Success in NCLEX-RN: Identifying predictors and optimal timing for intervention. J Nurs Educ 1989;28:112–118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. McClelland, E, Yang, JC, Glick, OJ: A statewide study of academic variables affecting performance of baccalaureate nursing graduates on licensure examination. J Prof Nurs 1992;8:342–350.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13. Thompson, HP: The relationship of predictor variables to licensing examination scores for practical nurses. Doctoral dissertation abstract, Georgia State University, 1989; CINAHL 1991:119003.Google Scholar
14. Schiffman, RF: Predictors of performance on NCLEX RN for baccalaureate nursing graduates. Doctoral dissertation abstract, University of Connecticut, 1988; CINAHL 1990:114283.Google Scholar
15. Cloud-Hardaway, SA: Relationship among “Mosby AssessTest” scores, academic performance, and demographic factors and associate degree nursing graduates’ NCLEX scores. Doctoral dissertation abstract, University of North Texas, 1988; CINAHL 1990:109859.Google Scholar
16. Karns, MEH: Nursing programs and state licensure examination performance: a comparative study of baccalaureate, associate degree, and diploma programs. Doctoral dissertation abstract, University of Pittsburgh, 1988; CINAHL 1990:109858.Google Scholar
17. Wall, BM, Miller, DE, Widerquist, JG: Predictors of success on the newest NCLEX-RN. West J Nurs Res 1993;15:628–643.Google Scholar
18. Froman, RD, Owen, SV: Predicting performance on the National Council Licensure Examination. West J Nurs Res 1989;11:334–346.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19. Jacono, JJ, Keehn, BJ, Corrigan, C: Predictors of success in RN license examination. Nursing Papers 1987;19:23–34.Google Scholar
20. Roehrig, SM: Prediction of licensing examination scores in physical therapy graduates. Phys Ther 1988;68:694–698.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Fauser, JJ: Accreditation of allied health education. JAMA 1992;268:1123–1126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22. Gupta, GC, Konrad, TR: Allied health education in rural health professional shortage areas of the United States. JAMA 1992;268:1127–1130.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23. Weithaus, B: Allied health accreditation faces major changes. JAMA 1993;270:1094–1096.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24. Fauser, JJ: Accreditation of allied health education. JAMA 1992;268:1123–1126.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25. Michigan Department of Public Health = Division of Emergency Medical Services: Form J234b, December 1982.Google Scholar
26. Michigan Department of Public Health, Health Facilities Administration, Emergency Medical Services: Working Draft of Proposed Rules for Section 333.6103 to Section 333.20773 of the Public Health Code (Act 179 of 1990). Part 1. General Provisions, Rule 703 (1), 28 June 1991.Google Scholar
27. Michigan Department of Public Health, Health Facilities Administration, Emergency Medical Services: Final Draft of Proposed Rules for Section 333.6103 to Section 333.20773 of the Public Health Code (Act 179 of 1990). Part 1. General Provisions, Rule 205 (2), 18 May 1994.Google Scholar
28. Michigan Department of Public Health, Health Facilities Administration, Emergency Medical Services: Final Draft of Proposed Rules for Section 333.6103 to Section 333.20773 of the Public Health Code (Act 179 of 1990). Part 1. General Provisions, Rule 205 (3), May 1994.Google Scholar
29. Michigan Department of Public Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Requirements: Paramedic Education Program. J-329. January 1987, Revised May 1995.Google Scholar
30. Norcini, JJ: Examining the examinations for licensure and certification in medicine. JAMA 1994;272:713–714.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed