Wow, it's great to talk to the EMS community again. I've just got to get this thought out...I spent thirteen years in EMS, everywhere from the suburbs to the inner city. And I remember vividly how most of us looked at doctor's offices like "what a bunch of idiots who don't know anything about emergencies". Well, karma is a b****. I went back to school, became a PA, and now work in Internal Medicine. Everytime I have to deal with EMS, it's a humiliating experience. What really pushed me to think about it was a day recently when I went to another office in the building to check on a sick employee. Near syncope, turned into left sided chest pain, bradycardic, for which the patient was being considered for a pacemaker by her cardiologist. Put on a nasal cannula, ran an EKG, and when EMS came, wanted to give them a quick report and get out of their way. The paramedic pushed by me, pressed on the patient's chest and said, "does this hurt? Does it hurt if you move your arm?" The patient was admitted and cathed. It makes me sad to be on the other side and realize how I'm considered now.