Prehospital emergency care : official journal of the National Association of EMS Physicians and the National Association of State EMS Directors
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To determine whether EMS educational programs in North Carolina adequately prepare paramedics, and whether there is additional value to an associate of applied science (AAS) degree education in EMS when compared with traditional certificate training programs. ⋯ While administrators and paramedics believe the current EMS educational programs in North Carolina adequately prepare students to function as paramedics, there are identifiable areas that require additional emphasis. There appears to be additional value to an AAS education when compared with traditional certificate EMS educational programs.
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To analyze the potential for expanding the scope of practice of paramedics from public health, health planning, and health policy perspectives, utilizing data covering more than 42,000 emergency patients. ⋯ The high number of diagnoses and the frequency of infections as a primary complaint in this patient sample reconfirm the primacy of the physician in prioritizing patients and assigning treatment pathways. The authors suggest a methodology that may allow properly trained medics to alter some of their role as physician extenders, but suggest that system planners must first ensure that any changes not reduce the public health benefits that each EMS system already provides.
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To describe how primary care physicians (PCPs) transport seriously ill children from their offices to emergency departments (EDs). ⋯ The PCPs often failed to call EMS for seriously ill children seen in the office and, instead, used the family's auto for emergency transportation. In this survey, transport time and cost were not barriers to use of EMS. The physicians expressed a lack of confidence in EMS providers' pediatric skills. Targeting educational programs to PCPs that highlight 1) the availability, training, and skill of EMS personnel and 2) the medicolegal risks of family transportation may result in more appropriate use of EMS for children.
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To determine whether a course in emergency medical services (EMS) impacts on the perceived ability of medical students to render care in emergencies such as choking and cardiac arrest, and affects their choice of emergency medicine as a career. ⋯ A course in EMS has significant impact on the perceived ability and career choice of medical students. Further study of an EMS curriculum design is needed to determine what information is critical to medical students' education and valuable in their career choice decisions.
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Revolutionary changes in the health care system necessitate subsequent changes in emergency medical services (EMS). The development and dissemination of the EMS Agenda for the Future focus attention on awareness and attitudes of field providers. This study attempted to measure awareness of and agreement with concepts set forth in the agenda. ⋯ EMS providers' awareness, perspectives, and attitudes are essential to the forward progression of the EMS Agenda for the Future. Successful implementation of the agenda will depend on these professionals' participation and support. Providers tended to agree most with traditional concepts discussed in the EMS Agenda for the Future. Awareness levels and attitudes toward the vision suggest implications for future education, planning, and research activities.