Cheating in

EMS Education

Cheat Sheet

Don’t kid yourself

Cheating doesn’t have to happen

Reinforce the right things

Swift consequences

Prevention works

Change the battle

Test stuff that matters

Audience Question

Cheating is common in EMS education.

Academic Dishonesty

Scenario: Question Recalls

Is this cheating?

Resource Flashnotes.com

Scenario: CE Articles

Is this cheating?

Scenario: Online Con Ed

Is this cheating?

Dishonesty in Online Courses

Dishonesty in Online Courses

• Different rules for online quizzes

• Rules not explicitly stated

• Scope of cheating was shocking

Cheating Definition

Scope of

Cheating

Cheating in a Pervasive Problem

Research about Cheating

“Nearly every research report on cheating … has concluded

that cheating is rampant.“

Cheating on Tests: How to Do It, Detect It, and Prevent It

Cheating is a Lifelong Habit

Cheating at All Grade Levels

Cheating in School Student Reasons

1. Others are cheating

2. No honor code

3. Required courses

4. Heavy workload

5. No clear rules or consequences

6. Low risk of being caught and or punished

Institutions with Higher Incidence

PA Student Attitudes and Behaviors

PA Student Attitudes and Behaviors

Cheating by USAF Officers

Cheating by Fire Officers

Cheating by Nursing Students

Cheating by Firefighter Recruits

Cheating by EMS Students???

Cheating by Paramedics

Audience Question

What factors is mostly likely to lead to cheating?

College Placement Paid Test Takers

Cheating by EMT

Cheating by EMS Instructors

• Change answers

• Falsify records

• Provide information

• Ignore misbehavior

• Fail to enforce

Cheating by Personnel (Parents)

Words have Meaning

The patient cheated death

Know this for the test

Use the “Clock” method

You need to know OPQRST

Study Aids or Cheat Sheets

Study Aids or Cheat Sheets

Study Aids or Cheat Sheets

Scenario: Clinical Skills

Is this cheating?

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating

Plagiarism

Deception

Fabrication

Impersonation

Bribery

Any attempt to give or obtain assistanceCopying without proper acknowledgement

Providing false information

Falsification of date, information, or citations

Assuming another’s identity

Paying for information or access

Most Common is Plagiarism

Cheating Low and High Tech

Circumventing Processes

Unauthorized materials use

Taking, giving , or receiving information

Cheating and Technology

• Tougher to define cheating

• Plagiarism is easier

• Reduces sharing friction

Limited Impact

of Barriers

Exam Stakes and Risks

High StakesHigh Risk

High RiskLow Stakes

High StakesLow Risk

Low StakesLow Risk

Risk

Stakes

Promotional exam

Certification exam

Licensure exam

Challenge to Accuse and Prosecute

Ingrained in the Culture

All for One,

One for All

Win Together,

Fail Together

Ends Justifies

The Means

Small Teams

Work Independently

Computer Based Testing

Compromised by

poor questions,

poor security, and

poor oversight

Cheating Technique Sharing

How to cheat on a test

Easy Access to Cheating Techniques

How Students Cheat…Merely Interesting!

Lots of Cheating Techniques

Solutions

Far Fewer Solutions

A Simple Solution

Announce penalties for cheating

Ask students NOT to cheat

Some Possible Solutions

We are Responsible

• Role model

• Discuss academic honesty

• Honor code

• Values education

• Student selection

• Appropriate focus

• Change the evaluation method

• Testing

Role Model Academic Integrity

Discuss Academic Honesty

Wasting narcotics

without a witness

Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 Scenario 4

Falsifying

assessments or

treatments

Sharing CE test

questions and

answers

Incorrectly reporting

attendance

Audience Question

Does your program/organization

have an academic dishonesty policy?

Institution Honor Code

Institution Honor Code

Institution Honor Code

Challenge of Enforcement

Integrity is a Two Way Commitment

Academic Dishonesty Consequences

Appropriate Consequences

DowngradeFail assignmentRe-testFail classSchool dismissalCriminal chargePermanent record

Values Education with I CARE

“The founders of the I CARE program envision a world where individuals of all

ages understand the importance of ethics and values as they pertain to a person's

character and through their actions embody the values of Integrity,

Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Empathy in their daily lives.”

Values of Academic Integrity

HonestyTrustFairnessRespectResponsibilityCourage

Employee or Student Selection

• Behavior based questions

• Reference checks

• Past work performance

• Effective and secure entrance exam

• Inform of honor code

Plagiarism Prevention

Define

Examples

Citation practices

Clear guidelines

Verify content

Plagiarism Prevention

Learn Academic Integrity

Culture Change and Reinforcement

Focus on Competency

Reward Learning and Effort

Actual Group Problem Solving

Test Timing

KSA

Training

Complete

Competent? No

Yes

Test Based on Objectives

Write Better Questions

What is the average heart rate of a patient with acute heart failure?

a. 80b. 90c. 100d. 110e. Who cares!

Write Better Questions

In 140 characters or less explain airway management.

vs.Demonstrate proper airway

management for this situation.

Test High Level Knowledge

Situation analysis

Differentials

Actions based on findings

Critique performance

Mnemonics

Time intervals

Drug doses

Facts

Incremental Assignments

Importance of Connection

Less cheating…

• More interaction

• More connection

• More respect

• More knowledge

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Cheating by EMT

Optimize Testing Environment

• Clear instructions

• Room set-up

• Required supplies

• Personally monitor

• Video record

• Remove bags, books, coats

• Disable smart devices (phones, glasses, watches)

• Confiscate electronics

• Identity verification

Celebrate Ingenuity

Summary

Cheating is present

Cultural acceptance

Objectives matter

Simple actions

Complex strategies

Focus on competency

Questions

Search