A study of cognitive and technical skill deterioration among trained paramedics.

Thirty trained paramedics were studied to measure cognitive and technical skill deterioration 6 to 30 months after completion of their individual training programs. The group of 30 paramedics included those with six months and those with one year of training. The purpose of the study was to identify areas in need of continuing education and to see if the rate of skill deterioration correlated with the time from completion of the training program. The trained paramedics were given the same final written and technical skill examination they had taken at the end of their training and the individuals' two scores were compared. The skills requiring the most technical knowledge deteriorated the fastest. Also, basic skills, despite frequent use in the field, had deteriorated. The amount of skill deterioration was greatest among the group of trained paramedics that had completed their training 30 months prior to this study.