Studying Rescue Service?! A programme analysis of the status quo of (continuing) education formats and offerings at German universities for Paramedics

Abstract

Background:

In view of the fact that many emergency paramedics and other non-medical emergency service employees do not have a school-based higher education entrance qualification, issues of permeability between vocational and higher education are becoming increasingly important. The aim is therefore to make the educational landscape in the emergency services context at German universities transparent.

Methods:

A program analysis was carried out for the analysis of rescue service and rescue science continuing education formats and offerings at German universities

Results:

Of the 28 (further) education courses surveyed, a total of two certificate courses, 20 Bachelor's courses and six Master's courses were identified.

Discussion:

The analysis shows that the potential for a permeable rescue service-related or rescue science education landscape has by no means been exhausted, particularly in the area of educational offerings below the Bachelor's degree, such as certificates, microcredentials or continuing education courses.

Conclusions:

In order to create transparency (not only) for target groups about (further) education formats and offers at German universities, it is advisable to present the entirety of educational offers at universities on a cross-university platform, such as hoch & weit, and thus beyond the respective university websites.