European paramedic curriculum—a call for unity in paramedic education on a European level

• Main Authors: Sveinbjörn Dúason, Christoffer Ericsson, Hrafnhildur Lilja Jónsdóttir, Jeanette Viggen Andersen, Thomas Lynge Andersen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2021-05-01
• Series: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine
• Subjects: Ambulance transport; Curriculum; Emergency Medical Service; Paramedic BS degree; Paramedic education; Prehospital
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-021-00889-z

Abstract Background There have been major developments in healthcare services as well as changes in demographics in recent years, and this has, among other things, led to increased demand for ambulance services. In general, this has also led to calls for more highly educated paramedics. Main body Erasmus + provided a grant for three universities and one public service provider in four Nordic countries to work on a harmonised model curriculum for a bachelor’s degree in paramedic education. The project group has now completed the first phase of the project, which was to examine what paramedic education is available in the participating countries and what laws and regulations affect both the operation of ambulance services and the education of paramedics. At the end of the project, a harmonised exemplary curriculum will be available to anyone interested in educating paramedics at the university level. Conclusions The growing need for highly educated paramedics should be addressed by offering a bachelor’s degree university education with an exemplary curriculum and coordinating it within Europe. The added value of a harmonised education programme within Europe would thus enable further and deeper collaboration.