EMS world vs JEMS

ExpatMedic0

ExpatMedic0

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I have a subscription to JEMS, and I had a subscription to EMS World(formerly EMS Magazine?) about 10 years ago. I was wondering if anyone has a subscription to both publications presently? Can you give me some feed back of each. Even an opinion based comparison would be helpful. I am unsure if I should renew my subscription to JEMS and would like to hear some feedback.
 
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I have subscriptions to both. I think the magazines complement each other. If you're an NAEMT member, you get a free subscription to EMS World and a discounted subscription to JEMS.
 
We get them free at work. I, personally, would not pay a cent to subscribe to either.

They both contain articles dumbed down to relate to the lowest common denominator and are simply vehicles to deliver advertisement.
 
When EMS world first came out as EMSresponder, I offered to buy an online subscription.

I was told they did not have such so I just visit the free website from time to time.

I cancelled my subscription to JEMS in protest many years ago. I tried out their forum a few years back hoping it had changed, but it didn't.

I would not use JEMS for toilet paper. It might suck the IQ points out of me.
 
Veneficus said:
When EMS world first came out as EMSresponder, I offered to buy an online subscription.

I was told they did not have such so I just visit the free website from time to time.

I cancelled my subscription to JEMS in protest many years ago. I tried out their forum a few years back hoping it had changed, but it didn't.

I would not use JEMS for toilet paper. It might suck the IQ points out of me.
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Just curious but what is so bad with JEMS. I occasionally read their articles online. Is their content bad or what makes it so you wouldn't use them?
 
Both of these magazines serve some purpose.

Every health care profession, even doctors, has a magazine which gives some easy reading to keep people up to date for a few current events and do a little review.
Most people also have busy lives including time with their family so a magazine which provides something to hold their attention for a few minutes to get some new information or just to brush up on something is not all that bad. And, looking at some of the ads is a great way to see something new. Most will also have a way to request additional information. Nothing wrong with checking out a new product.

Those who are into more information may look up the actual research articles referenced or have a subscription to something like the Journal of Prehospital Emergency Care or Resuscitation.
 
leoemt said:
Just curious but what is so bad with JEMS. I occasionally read their articles online. Is their content bad or what makes it so you wouldn't use them?
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It is a product magazine that panders to an audience that holds back EMS.

It is like reading "medicine for the learning disabled."
 
n7lxi said:
We get them free at work. I, personally, would not pay a cent to subscribe to either.

They both contain articles dumbed down to relate to the lowest common denominator and are simply vehicles to deliver advertisement.
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I agree. Except that I get copies of both delivered free to my home. When I'm done with them, I leave them in the squad room at the school for others to peruse.
 
Amen n7 and Vene! If all you want is glossy pictures of new ambuli and whatever crap manufacturers are spruiking then jems is great. If you don't want to trigger neuronal apoptosis, stay well away.
 
Veneficus said:
It is a product magazine that panders to an audience that holds back EMS.

It is like reading "medicine for the learning disabled."
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I think that is a pretty bold statement. The magazine is not specific to Paramedics and is written for all levels of EMS providers. Many of the contributors to JEMS are either Paramedics with graduate degree's or emergency doctors. I enjoy some of the articles. Yes there is a lot of product placement in the contents. Name a magazine that does not have advertisements in it. I enjoy seeing what products are being introduced anyway. I may not have seen many of them at my agency.
 
schulz said:
I think that is a pretty bold statement. The magazine is not specific to Paramedics and is written for all levels of EMS providers. Many of the contributors to JEMS are either Paramedics with graduate degree's or emergency doctors. I enjoy some of the articles. Yes there is a lot of product placement in the contents. Name a magazine that does not have advertisements in it. I enjoy seeing what products are being introduced anyway. I may not have seen many of them at my agency.
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Just because articles are written by advanced providers does not mean they are targeted at advanced providers.

If that were the case, EMS texts would be written at a higher reading level.
 
Can't answer for EMSresponder but JEMS is an advertising magazine. They rarely put out an article worth reading for any semi-competent provider.
 
Jambi said:
I do keep waiting to see Disney publish a paramedic text. :rofl:
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It is not the fault of the authors in my experience.

There is a lot of pressure put on them by the publishers.

Publishers go out to EMS educators and ask what they want in a textbook and try to match that with the required curriculum. They even make "cheat sheets" for less capable instructors.

Why would trade magazines be any different?

It is big business.

They make money by targeting a specific population and trying to sell them something they want.

You have to play to your crowd.
 
I am not saying there written contributions are as well spoken as Joseph Conrad or James Joyce. I however do not think they sound like slack jawed yokals.

Personally I think Its good to keep up on EMS news and products outside of the area we live in. In addition to that reading case reviews, study's that examine the clinical efficiency of certain procedures and drugs, research being conducted in the field of EMS, the latest trends, How exactly is this holding back our profession?

I am all for EMS advancing but I am not sure how professional journals are holding us back because of a few advertisements and bland writing.
 
Jambi said:
I do keep waiting to see Disney publish a paramedic text. :rofl:
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That probably won't happen. Disney has always been a favorite spot to work for college students because of its strong advocacy for higher education and tuition assistance. Due to good working hours, it is not uncommon to find university students of undergrad and grad levels working at the theme parks. Disney also sponsors programs for technology students and artists at the colleges.
Disney also prefers it supervisory and mid to upper management employees to hold at minimum a Bachelors and did have a great tuition reimbursement program to pay for Masters. Even for some entry level employees the training is as long as if not longer than EMT.

Since many Paramedic programs are done at votechs and with few to no prerequisites, I don't think EMS is quite at the Disney level of educaiton.
 
schulz said:
I am not saying there written contributions are as well spoken as Joseph Conrad or James Joyce. I however do not think they sound like slack jawed yokals.

Personally I think Its good to keep up on EMS news and products outside of the area we live in. In addition to that reading case reviews, study's that examine the clinical efficiency of certain procedures and drugs, research being conducted in the field of EMS, the latest trends, How exactly is this holding back our profession?

I am all for EMS advancing but I am not sure how professional journals are holding us back because of a few advertisements and bland writing.
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If you write at a lower level you do not increase the level being used.

As I recall, JEMS doesn't publish the actual research articles, somebody tells you about them, in addition to interpreting them for you. (telling you what they mean and how it affects you) That implies that the readers can not or do not want to actually interpret the studies.

Not exactly a shining example of a high level of knowledge required.

I also understand if you really want sbstance to the article, you can instead subscribe to the EMS insider. (basically written for the management level)
 
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Smash said:
Amen n7 and Vene! If all you want is glossy pictures of new ambuli and whatever crap manufacturers are spruiking then jems is great. If you don't want to trigger neuronal apoptosis, stay well away.
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In the US, EMTs out number Paramedics by at least 4 to 1 and maybe more in some states.

Some places are very rural with limited access to national conferences to see the latest and greatest. Many are volunteers Not many vendors will travel to the boondocks for a very small sale.

I seriously doubt if many people would read the whole article in a scientific journal. Even Vene just posts part of the abstract. The good stuff is generally in the middle somewhere but then that might skew a point.

The studies are also nice but very few are placed into protocols. JEMS and EMS both write their articles to what is happening in the US and if anything new is expected or someone like Skip Kirkwood who frequents the JEMS forum writes about his agency.
 
well to each there own :-) I am a full time university student right now and I am taking a break from work. I like using them as a tool to keep up on things. When I find something interesting from an article I can easily research it further online if I desire.

I agree with you that the writing could be better, or perhaps an ALS specific one could be published. I do not think they are that bad though.
 
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