The research team for the EMS Workforce for the 21st Century Project is seeking direct input from EMS personnel through a new project website and interactive blog. The blog will be an easy to use forum for providers to convey their thoughts about various issues facing emergency medical services. There will be new questions posted periodically, so that a range of issues can be addressed. Project director, Susan Chapman, urges providers to utilize this interactive tool, noting that, "the input of EMS personnel is a critical component that will complement the other research done thus far. The website will be a highly useful tool for national field providers to communicate with the research team."

The EMS Workforce for the 21st Century Project website can be accessed at: http://www.emsworkforce.com

The website and blog are important elements of an ongoing study of the national EMS workforce. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have contracted with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Center for the Health Professions to conduct this 2-year national EMS workforce study. The study team also includes the University of Washington, Center for Health Workforce Studies, who will focus on specific rural and volunteer issues within the workforce. The goal of the project is to provide research and guidance to the national EMS community in making informed policy decisions for the EMS workforce.

In order for the research team to better understand the issues facing the workforce, national EMS stakeholder organizations met with the research team in April, 2005 to provide input into the study. Additionally, the research team has been conducting key informant interviews with leaders in the field, and has been conducting other data collection and analysis.

Contact

Susan Chapman, PhD, RN

schapman@thecenter.ucsf.edu

(415) 502-4419