Like all industries and educational programs, EMS training programs have experienced significant change due to the ongoing pandemic. EMS programs across the country have adapted to these unprecedented times, leaning into virtual and socially distanced training and education on the fly. There’s no definitive date when face-to-face labs will return or when hospitals and EMS squads will be unrestricted in their access, so until then, EMS programs can take steps to educate and train their staff in innovative ways.
Here are some ways in which clients in the EMS industry can adapt their education and training for the time being and prepare their students to take on today’s challenges.
Clinicals
Some programs have decided to halt the clinical parts of their programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, this is likely the most common response. Simulation, like clinical rotations, would require students to interact with other people within proximity. This will likely limit simulations as a possible replacement for patient encounters until restrictions are lifted. However, programs should remember this if their reintroduction into a clinical experiences delays.
Lectures
One major component of education and training procedures for new students in the EMS field is the lecture. After all, this is where students are put into a classroom setting and learn the foundation and basics of their chosen field through expert leadership and quality instruction. But with the pandemic changing the way we gather, lectures have had to adapt to the times.
This is evident in online meetings, prompted by programs like Facebook Live, WebEx, Zoom, and Skype, allowing students to gather with each other and their instructor(s) in a virtual setting. In particular, WebEx allows for up to 100 participants in a video call and includes a chat feature where they can interact with each other and their teacher to stay engaged.
LMS Potential
A learning management system, or LMS, is a software application that programs use to plan, assess, and implement a specific learning process and deliver non-traditional education. For more than two decades, this concept has been available as online schools or universities with online classes have offered students this platform. However, with the new normal brought on by COVID-19, online schooling platforms and software have taken center stage.
One example is Google Classroom, which can serve as an LMS for EMS instructors and their students. Some of the LMS features of the program are documents that teachers can upload for students to view. It also allows students to view and upload assignments while also collaborating on the same document at one time.
About Provident Insurance Programs
With roots dating back to 1902, Provident Insurance Programs is a program administrator that serves paid and volunteer firefighters in addition to emergency medical responders with numerous custom-tailored insurance programs. We’ve also extended our expertise and experience to offer benefit plans and coverages to participant groups as well as Transportation Benefits. We are committed to continuing to provide superior customer service, and would be happy to speak with you to provide further information. Give us a call today at (855) 201-8880 to speak with one of our representatives.