A dissertation completed at
The Center for Education, Widener University,
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 		 
AN ANALYSIS OF ATTITUDES TOWARD MEASURES OF JOB SATISFACTION RELATED TO IDENTIFIED FACTORS OF PARAMEDIC EDUCATION
Jean Bennett Will, Ed. D.
January 1999

RETURN
edited 01/11/01

 


ABSTRACT

Paramedic, as a position, is a relatively new allied health care field in the United States. Paramedics provide emergency care as an extension to the Emergency Department physician in the out-of-hospital or prehospital setting when someone is ill or injured. With rapid changes occurring in the provision of health care, an excellent opportunity to examine prevalent models of paramedic education exists. This study examined three models of paramedic training and considered selected factors relating to job satisfaction. Issues of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction may reflect educational boundaries that could be influenced by curriculum redesign. The purpose of this study was to identify specific areas of concern and develop educational recommendations to assist paramedic training programs with curriculum development.

Using the Job Descriptive Index (JDI), Job in General Scale (JIG), Occupational Needs Questionnaire (ON-Q), and a demographic sheet, a survey was mailed to 1000 paramedics yielding 299 responses. The sample was selected from the population of paramedics in Pennsylvania through the use of a table of random numbers assigned to the state paramedic registry database. Data were analyzed to identify areas of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and subsequent recommendations were generated to improve the educational curriculum. The intended outcome of an improved curriculum would decrease job dissatisfaction and subsequent attrition, and increase retention and vrofessionalism. iv The research questions for this study explore h th diffe i expressions ofjob satisfaction related to educational model; age group; gender; educational model and gender; educational model and age; educational model, gender, and age; and educational model and present job position. Each null hypotheses statement formed the basis for analysis.

Results appeared to demonstrate that paramedics, in general, expressed satisfaction with their jobs. Satisfaction with work and coworkers appears to outweigh dissatisfaction with pay, promotion, achievement, and supervision factors. Those who completed Model 2 programs were more satisfied with pay than those who completed Models I and 3. Age was shown to have significance with the older the paramedic the less dissatisfied with pay and benefits. No effects for gender were reported. No relationship was noted between educational model completed and current job position. Recommendations and areas for future research were presented.

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