![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Objective. We describe the development andimplementation of the North Carolina Rapid Response to Stroke (NCRRS) project—a community-based online education project developed for 911 telecommunicators andEMS personnel. Methods. Two online courses, one for 911 telecommunicators andone for EMS personnel, were designed to provide timely andaccessible continuing education on stroke assessment andcare. Eight county-based emergency management systems, representing 15 agencies, were recruited for participation in a 4-month trial of the online courses in 2003. A total of 150 telecommunicators and208 EMS personnel completed the courses. Results. Results showed high levels of participant satisfaction with the program andimprovements in posttest scores; agency leaders also provided positive feedback on the project. Motivators to complete the education identified by participants included peers, agency support, andmaterials provided by the NCRRS project. Courses were revised on the basis of feedback andsuccessfully sustained online through August 2006, providing free stroke education for almost 1,000 additional 911 telecommunicators andEMS personnel in North Carolina. Conclusions. We describe the process of development andimplementation that ensured project success. The results of this study show the need for andvalue of online stroke education for emergency services personnel anddescribe the challenges of developing andimplementing online continuing education for this population. Similar education programs should be developed. Programs should incorporate comprehensive recruitment programs andcommunity-based networks that sustain interest andpromote full participation in educational offerings.