Breakout Sessions
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
Breakout 1A: A Year Later – Education Standards & Education Agenda, Where Are We?
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Deb Cason, R.N., M.S., EMT-P, UT Southwestern Medical, Dallas, TX
TRACK: Leadership
This presentation will provide an update on what has happened with the EMS Education Standards and the EMS Education Agenda in the past year and examine plans for the future. The response from the EMS community will be explored and issues such as National Accreditation and National Certification will be discussed. Input will be solicited from the audience on how to implement the Education Agenda and ideas for furthering the Education Standards.
Breakout 1B: Higher Education in the EMS/Fire Service
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Jeannie Wentworth, Paramedic, B.A., M.S., City Of Dania Beach Fire Rescue, Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach, FL
TRACK: Research
Increasingly, firefighters and paramedics are seeking higher education. This trend impacts the emergency responder profession in several ways, including boosting research into EMS/Fire Science and increasing professionalism in the ranks. This presentation will examine who is going back to school, where they’re going, and how today’s more-educated-then-ever emergency responders are changing the industry.
Breakout 1C: Team-Based Learning in EMS Education
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Bruce Butterfras, M.S. Ed., LP, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
How can we get students more involved in class? How can we encourage more critical thinking in class? How well can our students apply the concepts they are learning? What are we doing to prepare students for the psycho-social aspects of the job? Team-Based Learning may provide an answer to these questions and more. This session will look at the application of Team-Based Learning within the paramedic program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. You will see how the process works and the benefits it can bring to your classroom. You will also learn of the challenges associated with this style of teaching. Is Team-Based Learning right for you? Come and find out!
Breakout 1D: Are Your Students Safe, Confident & Consistent?
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Nanci Medina, A.A., B.S., NREMT-P, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
TRACK: Evaluation
Are your students safe, confident, and consistent? A guide to creating uniform precepting. While students are in their didactic portion, we have control over where they will be, when they will be there, and what they have to study everyday. When they leave to go into their field internship, we lose that control and place it in the hands of an inexperienced "teacher," their preceptor. This session will offer ideas to make your field internship team more uniform in their verbal communication skills regarding the grading criteria and the internship.
Breakout 2A: Surviving Your CoAEMSP Accreditation Site Visit – The Top 10 Accreditation Violations Revealed
11 a.m. - Noon
Attila Hertelendy, PhD(c), M.S., MHSM, CCEMT-P, NREMT-P, Eastern New Mexico University, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD; Angel Burba, M.S., NCEE, EMT-P, Howard Community College, Columbia, MD.
TRACK: CoAEMSP
Accreditation site visits are often dreaded and loathed by EMS Program Directors. It is generally understood that the accreditation process is part of a cycle of continued quality improvement which ultimately benefits the student, faculty, and community. But how thoroughly does the average program director decipher the documentation and expectations required and how can improvements be made before the next scheduled site visit? Learn firsthand from a seasoned Site Team Captain and an experienced EMS Program Director about the most common accreditation violations and how to adjust your program to make your next site visit run smoothly. Also learn what to expect, how to prepare for your site team’s visit, and what you should already be doing to prepare for your initial or recurring accreditation site visit.
Breakout 2B: Effect of Utilizing Computer-Based Patient Simulations
11 a.m. - Noon
Philip Dickison, Ph.d (c), B.B.A., R.N., NREMT-P, Elsevier Review and Testing, St. Louis, MO
TRACK: Simulation
This session will explore recent research into the use of computer-based virtual patient presentations and their effect on students when taking the National Registry Paramedic examination. While there is significant literature supporting the use of high-fidelity simulators within medical education, many of these simulators are cost prohibitive in the EMS environment. This research will compare traditional clinical and field internship practices to computer-simulated virtual environments and compare student outcomes using the NREMT Paramedic examination results.
Breakout 2C: Field Internship – If You Build It They Will Come
11 a.m. - Noon
Bruce Nepon, MA, Ed, EMT-P, Delaware Technical and Community College, Dover, DE
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
At the 2007 NAEMSE Symposium, attendees of the eight-hour Field Training Officer Workshop were excited about information on instruction and evaluation of EMS personnel in the field setting. It was not enough. Many of the attendees were coordinators and managers. They wanted to know more about running a field internship. They wanted tools to help them select, train, and evaluate preceptors; to document student performance; to use information gathered during the field internship to conduct program evaluation; and even to meet accreditation standards. This session is the presenter’s response to those attendees, and to any others who feel they need some help to get a handle on field training. Join Bruce Nepon, EMS author and educator, as he helps navigate the maze of field training program design and coordination.
Breakout 2D: Teaching Kinesthetically
11 a.m. - Noon
Douglas Smith, M.A., EMT-P, IC, Platinum Educational Group, Jenison, MI
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
There is substantial confusion regarding the terms and concepts of kinesthetic and psychomotor teaching and learning. This session will differentiate these two terms and demonstrate that they are not synonymous. We will focus on how to employ kinesthetic teaching principles to reach the kinesthetic – as well as audio and visual – learner. Participants will be able to immediately use the information in their classrooms. Finally, we will brainstorm kinesthetic teaching methods for various topics.
Breakout 3A: CRM in Your Classroom – Strategy and Tools for Error Reduction and Team Performance
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Todd Cage, M.Ed., NREMT-P, Rochester Community & Technical College, Charles, MN
TRACK: Evaluation
For several years, there has been a call to action regarding the prevalence of errors in healthcare. The new EMS Education Standards even reference concepts known to reduce error. What is your comfort level with this topic? Whether you teach for a training program or a service provider, your students need to know about error reduction and participation in high performing teams. Health care organizations and the fire service are turning to Crisis Resource Management (CRM) as one way to instill these concepts. This session will explore the concepts behind CRM and options for providing CRM training, including video, simulation, and facilitated discussions. You will learn ways to model it in your own classroom and integrate it into your curriculum. Come find out if CRM is a fad or here to stay. You might be surprised how much of this you’re already doing.
Breakout 3B: Breakout 3B: Admission Assessment Exams – What Do They Really Tell Us? Separating Myth from Reality
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Philip Dickison, Ph.d (c), B.B.A., R.N., NREMT-P, Elsevier Review and Testing, St. Louis, MO
TRACK: Research
Using current research, this session investigates the validity of beliefs held by educators, parents, and students about the usefulness of using college admissions assessment examination to predict educational success.
Breakout 3C: Excellence in Clinical Education - Best Practices
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
David Page, M.S., NREMT-P, Inver Hills Community College, St. Paul, MN
TRACK: Research
Clinical learning experiences are one of the best places for students to absorb new knowledge. This evidence-based presentation will highlight the current research and summarize best practices in clinical education.
Breakout 3D: High-Fidelity Medical Simulation – Application to the Paramedic Curriculum and Beyond
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Derek Cooney, M.D., NREMT-B, SUNY Upstate Medical University, EMSTAT Center, Syracuse, NY; Aurel Mihai, EMT-B, B.S., Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
TRACK: Simulation
High-fidelity medical simulations can create a unique environment in which to educate paramedic students. Several centers across the United States are engaged in advanced educational protocols that employ this relatively new technology. Participants will be given an overview of currently available state-of-the-art medical simulation and a review of educational literature pertaining to its use. This presentation will provide an outline of our use of this valuable tool as a standard component of our paramedic training program. Application of simulation technology in EMS quality control and research will be briefly discussed. Participants will then experience a hands-on demonstration of the simulator.
Breakout 4A: From Water Bottles to Search Engines – New (And Not So New) Ways Students Cheat
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Judith Ruple, Ph.D., R.N., NREMT-P, The Ruple Group/Education Consultants, The Villages, FL
TRACK: Classroom Management
Cheating is an immense problem in the classroom setting. One survey of 700,000 top high school students found that 80% of them admitted to cheating. Other research revealed that high school students believe that you have to cheat to succeed. What can you do as an instructor to spot and stop cheating in your classroom? This presentation will inform participants about new methods of cheating, such as search engine translations, cell phones, and wireless devices, as well as revisiting some tried and true methods. Participants will become aware of Web sites dedicated to the techniques of cheating. Solutions will be offered to thwart some of the most common cheating methods. The value - and consequences - of applying sanctions will be discussed.
Breakout 4B: The Care and Feeding of EMS Instructors – From Mentoring to Mastery
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
William Schaub, B.A., M.S., EMT-CC, Suffolk County Community College, Setauket, NY
TRACK: Leadership
While models, books, and PowerPoint presentations are important, the single most important ingredient in a classroom is the instructor. As our profession has grown, we have improved the preparation of our instructors to meet the challenges faced in today's classrooms. Now, we must take the next step. How do we help an instructor progress from the novice level to one who performs on a mastery level? This session will discuss some of the ways that program directors can help their instructors teach skills necessary to survive - and succeed - in the classroom. It will address methods to promote career-scope professional development. Finally, the course will discuss curriculum development, implementation of best practices, and improving professional collegiality as instructors develop over time.
Breakout 4C: Classroom Participation on Hyper Drive – Responsive Lecture Format Using PowerPoint
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
David Page, M.S., NREMT-P, Inver Hills Community, St. Paul, MN
TRACK: Distance Learning/Simulation
Razzle-dazzle your students by turning your PowerPoint lecture into a responsive format. This session will explore using PowerPoint as the basis for delivering an interactive lesson. Participants will learn to spark critical thinking in the classroom by strategically placing questions inside their PowerPoint lectures. The use of remote response systems will be discussed, as well as grading and tracking the results of students’ answers.
Breakout 4D: Growing the Future of EMS
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Lauri Beechler, R.N., B.S.N., NREMT-B, PHRN, CEN, Loyola University Medical Center EMS, Maywood, IL; Ginger Worlds, CCEMT-P, NERMT-P, Loyola University Medical Center EMS, Maywood, IL
TRACK: Classroom Management
Join us and review the current research exploring the large population of potential healthcare providers for EMS. The results will impact your recruitment for future programs. Learn the lingering myths about why people enter the EMS profession. Explore the needs identified to continue feeding the EMS profession with passionate new candidates. Examine the current educational values of today’s EMS students. Consider how we need to change our recruitment and retention efforts based on the results of the current students’ expectations of EMS. Determine where our future students will come from and the impact we need to make on the community.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
Breakout 5A: Changing the World, 30 Students at a Time
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Heather Davis, M.S., NREMT-P, Valencia, CA
TRACK: Leadership
This session is based on the philosophy that leadership can be taught, and that we must teach it our EMS classrooms if we are to build a better future for EMS providers and their patients. Given the lack of communication and leadership skills many of our students initially bring to our programs, leadership, volunteerism, and a sense of responsibility must be taught and fostered in class. But nobody has time to do anything extra in their classrooms. So, this session focuses on activities and assignments that complement what we are already doing to produce better outcomes, more engaged and involved students, and a brighter future for EMS as a profession.
Breakout 5B: Predictors of Success for the National Registry Paramedic Cognitive Certification Exam
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Nerina Stepanovsky, Ph.D, R.N., EMT-P, St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, FL
TRACK: Evaluation
Have you ever wondered if you could predict which paramedic graduates would be successful on their certification examinations? If so, this is a presentation you will want to attend. This presentation will review the current literature on predictors of success for various certification exams, and then provide a snapshot view of paramedic students who took the National Registry cognitive examination over a six week period of time. The results may surprise you! Topics and ideas for continued research in EMS education will also be presented.
Breakout 5C: Instructional Design Basics
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Michael Touchstone, B.S., EMT-P, Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia, PA
TRACK: Classroom Management
The Instructional Design process provides the structure and guidelines that educators follow during the creation of educational programs. During this session we will examine the steps of the process as well as its application for both developing and evaluating educational programs. A better understanding of instructional design will help you create your own continuing education programs and you will be better prepared for the coming radical change – the replacement of the National Standard Curricula with the National Education Standards.
Breakout 5D: Interdisciplinary Training – A Review of a Large Multidisciplinary Event
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
Ken Forinash, B.S., EMT-P, Erie, CO
TRACK: Distance Learning/Simulation
This presentation will review an interdisciplinary simulation exercise involving students and faculty from two paramedic programs, a nursing program, and a medical school. Using high-fidelity mannequins as patients, paramedics and community college paramedic students responded to calls in the simulation environments at the school. At the same time, university nursing students and medical students were treating simulated patients at a simulation center. The paramedic students called in radio reports and transported their patients to the simulation center. The medical staff had to accommodate the EMS patients into their existing patient load. The exercise was meant to highlight communication between medical disciplines but had many other benefits.
Breakout 5E: Houston, We Have a Problem – Building Successful Teams
8 a.m. - 9 a.m.
David Foster, MLS, B.S., EMT-P, Hutcheson EMS, Ringgold, GA
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
The main theme of the movie Apollo 13 is that team work can solve even the most daunting of problems. In our profession, effective teams are essential to perform seamlessly during emergency operations. Just as NASA prepared its scientists to handle crisis at a cohesive unit, we must teach our students how to deal with extreme situations in a team context. As EMS Educators, we can learn from this example how to build successful teams during and after our training exercises. We will explore what differentiates a team from a group. We will explore Tuckman’s Five Stages of Team Development and how we as educators can we facilitate these stages as we team strive for cohesion. We will also explore options for team conflict resolution through a simulated team development process allowing the participants to explore ways of resolving conflict and identifying how leaders evolved around our selected group of “team” members.
Breakout 6A: CoAEMSP – “They’re Coming! They’re Coming!”: How to Prepare for the Upcoming Site Visit
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Deb Cason, R.N., M.S., EMT-P, UT Southwestern Medical, Dallas, TX; Stephen Karl, M.D., FAAP (AAP)
This presentation is designed to detail the process of preparing a program for a site visit. Program directors, school officials, and faculty will be given specific suggestions on how to prepare for and facilitate the site visit. Tips and ideas will cover the time before, during, and after the visit. Attendees will be presented with a “roadmap” for a well-organized process.
Breakout 6B: Do's and Don'ts of Developing an Online Curriculum
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Christopher Metsgar, B.S., NREMT-P, CCEMT-P, LP, South Plains College, Lubbock, TX
TRACK: Distance Learning/Simulation
This presentation will focus on the developmental process and considerations when adapting a curriculum from a classroom to an online medium. This session will discuss the process of implementation and adaptation of the online EMT Intermediate program at South Plains College which was introduced in the fall of 2007. The presenter will discuss challenges and obstacles that were encountered during the planning and implementation of this course and the solutions which were identified to make this a successful online program. If you are considering developing online curricula, attending the presentation will provide insight on the transitioning of classroom-based curriculum to an online medium.
Breakout 6C: Action Research for the Classroom
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Kenneth Navarro, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX
TRACK: Research
The day-to-day responsibilities of teaching and classroom management are so encompassing that the thought of incorporating research into professional EMS educator practice can seem daunting and unrealistic. Based on traditional data analysis gathered through qualitative or quantitative methods, this perception is probably accurate. However, Action Research offers a user friendly alternative for educators to improve teaching and learning. This presentation offers practical advice for conducting Action Research within the local classroom.
Breakout 6D: Teaching to the Attention Span of a Student
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Shanna Alger, B.A., EMT-P, EMD, CCEMT-P, Dixie State College of Utah, St. George
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
Some students have the attention span of a 5-year-old. This session will offer techniques to maintain student attention by using games and props in the classroom. We will also discuss the learning process and how to keep students from "falling asleep" in class. The techniques and methods used will aid in retention of course material and enable students to succeed with an excellent knowledge foundation.
Breakout 6E: Psychomotor Competency for Paramedic Education
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Rob Wagoner, BSAS, NREMT-P, National Registry, Columbus, OH
TRACK: Leadership
This session features a new psychomotor competency package being developed through a joint effort of the NREMT, CoAEMSP, NASEMSO and other organizations. The psychomotor competency package will provide paramedic education programs with formative and summative instruments for laboratory, clinical, and field psychomotor skills. The package will be important when demonstrating to the CoAEMSP that paramedic program students meet psychomotor competencies. The NREMT is sponsoring this process as part of a consideration to use the psychomotor competency packages as part of the National EMS Certification validation at the paramedic level. Educators who attend this session will be able to provide input regarding the competency package and help shape its future development and use in paramedic level education.
Breakout 7A: Coaching and Counseling for EMS
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Heather Davis, M.S., NREMT-P, Valencia, CA
TRACK: Classroom Management
Have you ever had to tell an instructor that his communication style is offensive? Or a student that he cannot hold his own when lifting? Or an EMT that she uses bad judgment on calls? Most people despise confrontation and conflict because it often ends in bad feelings and little change. Learn how to counsel students and employees about behavior and attitude problems in a way that gets real results, limits liability, and fosters positive feelings on all sides. This dynamic session uses case study and role play formats to give participants real skills in counseling and feedback.
Breakout 7B: EMS – It's Not Just Rescue Anymore!
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Jane Bedford, R.N., CCEMT-P, Nature Coast EMS, Florida Association of EMS Educators, Vice President, Inverness, FL
TRACK: Leadership
The EMS Agenda for the Future envisions the profession as "community-based health management that is integrated with the overall health care system." As EMS integrates with other health care providers, and agencies, we will work to improve community health and appropriately allocate acute health care resources. EMS personnel working in emergency medical organizations that respond to emergency calls must respond with the intent to not only get their patients to the hospital, but reduce their hospital stays and improve their outcomes. But our work does not end there. As a profession, we must collect this data and publish it. It’s not just rescue anymore.
Breakout 7C: Annie, Annie Are You OK? What If Annie Could Talk Back?
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Tim Wojcik, M.A. Ed., NREMT-P, Palmetto Health/USC School of Medicine Simulation, Columbia, SC
TRACK: Simulation
Ever wonder what Annie would say if she could talk back? Two of the major issues in EMS education today are how to engage the current generation of EMS providers (and the next one) and how to safely train them. Simulation medicine is a concept that addresses both of these critical needs. During this session, we will discuss how to engage the generation of learners who grew up on video games and podcasts, and as a result, have 30 second attention spans. In addition, we will address how simulation medicine provides a realistic but safe alternative to “practicing” medicine on unsuspecting patients. This session will involve hands on teaching and learning as well as some lecture based material. Come see how to make Annie talk back!
Breakout 7D: NREMT Report
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Bill Brown, R.N., M.S., NREMT-P, Executive Director, National Registry of EMT
This session is the "Annual Report" to EMS educators. It will cover NREMT Board activities, proposed schedules for implementation of new examinations covering the SOP; new policies that the NREMT Board is considering and reports on the Computer Adaptive Testing. Also a review of the NREMT research activities over the past year will be presented.
Breakout 7E: CoAEMSP – Pathway to Accreditation: Building Your Consortium
2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
William Raynovich, MPH, NREMT-P, Ed.D, Creighton University, Omaha, NE; Gordon Kokx, M.S., NREMT-P, College of S. Idaho, Twin Falls, ID
Certificate Paramedic programs that are not currently recognized to provide higher education will soon need to partner with an accredited organization. There are several ways for organizations to work together to achieve accreditation. A training program that does not meet accreditation requirements may operate as a “section,” a “satellite,” or join into a cooperative agreement (known as a consortium), with colleges or universities in order to meet the requirements. This session will help prospective program directors and administrators determine the best options and start them on the path to success.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
Breakout 8A: Keeping It Real
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Julianne Clancy, B.S., M.S., EMT-P, College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX; Kris Kern, College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
Active Classroom and Accelerated Learning are all the rage. We’ve heard the theory, now come and see practical applications. We’ll show you a ton of simple, effective, time-efficient activities and demonstrations that will get your students out of their seats, involved, and excited. Introduce anatomy with fresh organs, practice blood flow pathway, reinforce concepts of shock, demonstrate blood pressure, and facilitate understanding of pH.
Breakout 8B: Simulation Debriefing for EMS Providers
1:15 p.m. -2:15 p.m.
Randy Johann, B.S., EMT-P, Bethesda North Training & Education Center, Cincinnati, OH
TRACK: Simulation
High-fidelity simulation sessions for EMS providers are becoming more and more commonplace in today’s EMS classroom. While simulation sessions allow for unique learning opportunities, a well-designed debriefing session enables learners to reflect, clarify, and process important learning points into actionable information. Adult learners learn and remember more when they are actively involved and able to make their own analyses, rather than listen to someone else’s. In this session, we will explore simulation debriefing, observe several actual simulations, and study the debriefing sessions that follow.
Breakout 8C: Sibling Rivalry or One Parent Too Many? The Tension Between Community and University-Based Paramedic Education
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Madeleine O'Donnell, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia; Louise Reynolds, Ph.D, School of Medicine, Flinders University Adelaide, Australia
TRACK: Teaching Strategies
Competency-based education is a community college approach to teaching and learning and it primarily addresses the tenet of how to deliver patient care in a range of clinical situations. In contrast, a problem-solving approach is the teaching and learning ideology for university sector paramedic programs. These two approaches have created a tension within EMS; they are complex and have multiple contributors, including: a). the notion of change and the human factor of accepting or resisting change, and b). the phenomena of an education hierarchy. The situation is not unique to EMS, as other health care professions (such as nursing) have encountered similar experiences. States and territories are migrating to universities for educated paramedic workforce, yet achievement of clinical competencies remains central as program accreditation as undertaken by industry agencies that have an implicit expectation that students will be work ready upon graduation.
Breakout 8D: Education Committee – National Education Standards - Depth and Breadth and Other Fuzzy Things
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Tony Hartman, Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, IN
TRACK: Education Committee
This session is designed to help clarify the definition of depth and breadth as presented in the National Education Standards, as well as help you understand and design goals and objectives.
Breakout 8E: Social Presence in Distance Education
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Doug Gadomski, B.S., EMT-P, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center/Hospitals, Albuquerque, NM
TRACK: Distributive Learning Committee
For many of us, our first online educational experience may have been a boring slide show delivered by some electronic means. Where (or even who) was the instructor? Who else is taking the class? How can I ask a question if I have one? The good news is that online education doesn't have to be that way! In this session we'll look at social presence and how you can bring this vital component to your online offerings. We’ll discuss ways that online classes can be even better that traditional face-to-face classes, along with design considerations, and strategies for live web conferencing (synchronous) and threaded discussion-based (asynchronous) classes. Since we're talking technology, there will be limited discussion about factors affecting social presence in distance learning.
