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Background <p>Emergency medical technicians (RettSan) constitute an essential component of emergency medical service in Germany. However, their training has remained largely unchanged since 1977. To date, there has been no systematic investigation into the structure of their education, areas of deployment, or their self-perceived professional competence.</p> Objective <p>This study aimed to examine the legal frameworks governing RettSan training across the German federal states, identify their main areas of deployment, and explore how adequately RettSan feel prepared for their professional responsibilities, including their assessment of theoretical and practical training components.</p> Materials and methods <p>A&#xa0;comprehensive analysis of state-level training regulations was combined with an online survey of 523&#xa0;RettSan. The self-developed questionnaire comprised 29&#xa0;items across seven categories and was distributed via SoSciSurvey in February 2022.</p> Results <p>Specific training regulations exist in 11&#xa0;federal states, yet the structure and content vary considerably. While 74% of respondents felt adequately prepared for emergency medical service, only 55% reported sufficient preparation for patient transport. Moreover, 64.6% considered themselves overqualified for their current duties. Theoretical instruction was perceived as being too brief by 64.7% of participants, and 75% supported extending the training period to 1&#xa0;year. Clinical placements were rated more positively (79.5%) than in-field training at ambulance stations (61.7%).</p> Conclusion <p>The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity and structural deficiencies in RettSan education. To ensure competence and patient safety, a&#xa0;nationwide harmonization of curricula and qualification standards is required. In the long term, establishing a&#xa0;new professional category—such as an “emergency care assistant”—may provide an appropriate framework for professionalization and mobility within the German emergency medical services system.</p>

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Rettungssanitäter:innen – die in den aktuellen Kompetenzdebatten häufig vergessenen Teammitglieder im Rettungsdienst

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月13日

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  • Christian Frieß

摘要

Background

Emergency medical technicians (RettSan) constitute an essential component of emergency medical service in Germany. However, their training has remained largely unchanged since 1977. To date, there has been no systematic investigation into the structure of their education, areas of deployment, or their self-perceived professional competence.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the legal frameworks governing RettSan training across the German federal states, identify their main areas of deployment, and explore how adequately RettSan feel prepared for their professional responsibilities, including their assessment of theoretical and practical training components.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive analysis of state-level training regulations was combined with an online survey of 523 RettSan. The self-developed questionnaire comprised 29 items across seven categories and was distributed via SoSciSurvey in February 2022.

Results

Specific training regulations exist in 11 federal states, yet the structure and content vary considerably. While 74% of respondents felt adequately prepared for emergency medical service, only 55% reported sufficient preparation for patient transport. Moreover, 64.6% considered themselves overqualified for their current duties. Theoretical instruction was perceived as being too brief by 64.7% of participants, and 75% supported extending the training period to 1 year. Clinical placements were rated more positively (79.5%) than in-field training at ambulance stations (61.7%).

Conclusion

The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity and structural deficiencies in RettSan education. To ensure competence and patient safety, a nationwide harmonization of curricula and qualification standards is required. In the long term, establishing a new professional category—such as an “emergency care assistant”—may provide an appropriate framework for professionalization and mobility within the German emergency medical services system.