The EMS Exodus: Why Clinicians Are Leaving and What It Means for Public Health
Abstract
Across the United States, we rely on emergency medical services (EMS) practitioners to provide immediate assistance in medical emergencies and disasters as well as augment primary care and public health services. But these clinicians are leaving their jobs at higher rates every year. A new study in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice “Who is Leaving the Emergency Medical Services Workforce?” looks at trends in leaving jobs (turnover) and which workers are more likely to leave jobs.
The study, by Dr. Kyla F. Woodward and colleagues at the University of Washington’s Center for Health Workforce Studies and the TMF Health Quality Institute, analyzed data from the US Current Population Survey from 2018 to 2023. They found that the annual rate of EMS clinicians leaving their jobs rose from 16% in 2018 to 23% in 2023. That’s nearly one in four EMS professionals exiting the field each year. While the EMS workforce grew in size during this time period, the increased departure rates are cause for concern about the sustainability of the workforce.
Authors:
Woodward KF, Frogner BK, Patterson DG
Journal/Publisher:
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP) Direct
Edition:
Sep 2025.
Funder:
HRSA: HWRC Allied Health
Documents:
Citation:
Woodward KF, Frogner BK, Patterson DG. The EMS Exodus: Why Clinicians Are Leaving and What It Means for Public Health (Blog). Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP) Direct. Sep 2025.