| The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of feedback of self-modeling with a traditional practical evaluation of emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B) firefighters during the performance of patient assessment as measured by scores on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians practical skills evaluation form. This form measures the emergency medical technicians' (EMTs') ability to perform a patient assessment while adhering to the standards of care set forth by the National Standard Curriculum. Modeling theory states that a person will learn behaviors first by observing others and then by observing the consequences. Self-modeling uses self as the model to observe as well as the theory under examination. In self-modeling, participants gain an understanding of proper or more appropriate behaviors while observing their own behavior compared with what are considered the proper methods. Personnel currently certified as EMTs were the participants in the study.;Traditionally, EMTs receive feedback on their skills by a practical skills evaluation form, but there are other means to provide feedback such as videotaping. The independent variable was the type of feedback EMTs received in one of three conditions: (a) seeing the practical skills evaluation form; (b) being videotaped, not watching the tape, but receiving the practical skills evaluation form; and (c) being videotaped, watching themselves on the tape, and seeing the practical skills evaluation form. EMTs performed the same patient assessment before and after the independent variable. The dependent variable was the score on the practical skills evaluation form. The scores on the pretests and posttests were compared for each of the three conditions. No statistical significance was found between the pretests and posttests as indicated by the analysis of covariance. EMTs obtained the highest possible points on the pretest, leaving few areas to improve on the posttest. Future research needs to examine EMTs who are currently in their initial certification course. |
