Challenges ahead of emergency medical technician graduates in the workplace in Iran: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Iran enter the workplace after a short academic education. Their workplace has high emotional fluctuations and imposes high pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges faced by EMT graduates in Iran. DESIGN This applied study was conducted using qualitative content analysis. Twelve paramedics and graduates with 2 to 3 years of service were interviewed and their responses were analyzed by content analysis. RESULTS Findings were presented in five themes: organizational pressure, educational style, professional communication, emotional load, and misunderstanding of others. CONCLUSION Several problems confront EMTs in Iran. Educators and educational planners in this discipline could help resolve these problems by revising problematic points in the education and management of EMT graduates and by revising educational methods and human resource management to provide better services and save lives.