Learning
Community
Building on the success of the EMS Data Equity Conference, we launched the EMS Data Equity Learning Community in March 2024. The Learning Community brought together practitioners, researchers, and policymakers over a year-long initiative to systematically address disparities in emergency medical services, learn from each other, and share local insights to inform improvement practices.
About the Learning Community
Led by Jamie Kennel, PhD, NRP, and Remle Crowe, PhD, NREMT, our Learning Community Sessions are a cornerstone of our research project’s equity-focused inquiry. Guided by a three-phase model across 10 sessions – See It, Understand It, Address It – these sessions create space for EMS professionals and researchers to critically examine inequities in prehospital care.
Three-Phase Framework
1
See It
Investigates what inequities exist and how they show up
in EMS systems
2
Understand It
Explores the underlying systemic, structural, and interpersonal factors driving these inequities
3
Address It
Engages participants in identifying evidence-informed, actionable strategies to advance equity in EMS practice
Module 1: See It –
Identifying Inequities in EMS
The first module of the learning community focused on recognizing where and how inequities manifest in emergency medical services (EMS). Participants examined the multiple roles EMS plays in communities, from providing direct patient care and crisis response to serving as a local employer and educator. The sessions highlighted evidence of disparities in areas such as bystander CPR rates, pain management, 911 activation, and workforce diversity, particularly affecting racial minorities, women, those of lower socioeconomic status, and other marginalized groups. Participants also discussed the current state of EMS data collection, noting improvements in some areas (like gender and housing status) but identifying significant gaps, especially regarding preferred language and other social determinants. Case studies illustrated how better data can reveal inequities and inform targeted interventions.
Discussion Questions
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Where do inequities currently exist in EMS care delivery and workforce representation?
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Which populations are most underserved in your community, and what data is being collected (or missing) to “see” these inequities?
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How can improved data collection and linkage with other sources help reveal patterns of inequity?​​
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EMS data to enhance equity: See where inequity occurs:
Lessons from a learning community, Part I
Module 2: Understand It –
Exploring Root Causes
The second module delved into understanding why inequities occur and persist in EMS care and outcomes. Through a mix of research presentations and interactive discussions, participants explored topics like implicit bias, cognitive load, and the effect of discretionary protocols. Sessions also focused on community engagement, the establishment of community advisory boards, and the use of practical tools like driver diagrams to map out and deepen understanding of root causes. The sessions emphasized that addressing inequities requires moving beyond surface-level solutions to examine systemic issues such as societal racism, organizational culture, and workforce diversity. By engaging directly with communities and systematically assessing drivers of disparities, EMS agencies can design more effective and sustainable interventions.
Discussion Questions
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What does meaningful community engagement look like, and how can EMS agencies foster it?
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What are the systemic and structural drivers behind inequities in EMS care and workforce diversity?
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How can tools like driver diagrams and community advisory boards help uncover root causes and guide interventions?
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Why are inequities happening in EMS care delivery and patient outcomes?
Lessons from a learning community, Part 2
Module 3: Address It –
Taking Action to Reduce Inequities
The final module translated insights into action, guiding participants through strategies to reduce inequities in EMS treatment, workforce diversity, and community outreach. Sessions covered securing organizational commitment, empowering teams, assessing agency baselines, and fostering cultural change. Participants learned to use improvement science frameworks, such as the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Model for Improvement, to design, test, and refine interventions. Real-world examples included targeted recruitment programs, mentorship initiatives, and culturally tailored community engagement. The module concluded with the development of concrete quality improvement goals, emphasizing the need for both technical solutions and cultural transformation to achieve lasting equity in EMS.
Discussion Questions
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What steps can EMS agencies take to address treatment inequities and improve workforce diversity?
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How can agencies build authentic partnerships with communities to co-produce solutions?
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What metrics and quality improvement frameworks can be used to measure progress and ensure sustained change?
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From data to action:
How EMS leaders are closing the equity gap, Part III