Improving motivation for self-directed training in Danish EMS personnel

Abstract

Background: Emergency Medical Services personnel's motivation to carry out self-directed training might be impaired by several factors such as work environment, pressures and training facilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether easy access to local training facilities would improve individual motivation for self-directed training. Methods: A before-and-after study of 118 Danish personnel was conducted. Participants were asked to complete two identical questionnaires, exploring their motivation and training efforts, before and after initiatives to promote training were introduced. Results: Response rates were 69 and 77, respectively. Motivation for self-directed training increased, on a scale from 1–10, from 5.6 to 6.7. The rating of opportunities to perform self-directed training increased from 4.1 to 5.9 and the rating of the training facilities from 3.7 to 6.3. The frequency of training sessions completed increased (every shift n=6 to 12, every second-to-third shift n=29 to 37). Conclusion: The increase in ratings regarding motivation and effort for carrying out self-directed training suggests that easily accessible training facilities improves individual motivation for self-directed training in emergency services personnel.