Instead of low pay in most areas, poorly educated partners more concerned about skills than medicine, overall lack of understanding of A/P which makes discussing new treatments hard, lack of understanding of the scientific method and studies (someone on JEMS Connect actually posted that he didn't understand why so many people discounted anecdotal evidence in favor of controlled studies), the insistence of calling medical control anytime a decision needs to be made in most systems, running emergently everywhere, the fire department, and several other issues facing EMS.
True, but I have physicians as well that are burned out before residency is over. One of the major factors of me not entering medical school after I was accepted was because I only found one physician that described they would do it all over again. This was from many specialities ranging from cardiology, radiology, internal medicine to emergency medicine. All respected professionals, but looking back they described they much had rather chose a profession they could have more of a personal life, less student loans and not "fixed" in.
Are we behind the curve ball in EMS? You bet. You and I know that is what many of us are attempting to change and ignoring and not pursuing changes will never cause such occurrences.
Just alike many other health care professions not that long ago that has changed within a few years we definitely have room to grow.
I do disagree though, more and more are going to online controls as I only hear of that very seldom and even there is more evidence base medicine and scientific controls on the care and treatment we perform. Are there still ignorant medics? You bet. Will they just suddenly disappear? No. But, apathy will not change things either.
I do believe we do not see many of the professional EMS providers on the EMS forums. I know of many that do very well and only have one job, have a formal education and understand medicine. Let's not dismiss and discount the several thousands that perform good quality emergency medicine everyday; and they do it very well and perform outstanding care.
Compare those that now have a formal education that are within the profession of EMS to that of even 15 years ago. I read and see more formal research by those directly or having experience within EMS.
As one that works on both side of the fence let's be truthful and expose both sides. I can assure you Vent & AJ can although discuss education they can also tell you of short supply of staffing, areas that require mandatory overtime and now hospitals that discussing hiring freezes and or lay offs leaving a more demand upon staff. Albeit it maybe ancillary staffing, someone has to pick up the slack. As well, alike any other profession there is internal politics that is very heavy.
What I am alluding to is every profession has its pros and cons. I definitely agree EMS has its share of both and yes it is usually weighted on cons. But, lets not also display the hidden cons of the medical profession on the other side of the fence.
I am seeing more and more of those that entered the nursing profession returning back to EMS full time and nursing part time. It has nothing to do with their roles or responsibilities but being happy at their job. Sometimes, that is worth a lot more than one can appreciate.
I do believe EMS is at their pivotal area. Economics and at the same time scrutiny upon the profession for justification ... "basically getting the best bang for their bucks". The procedures will require more and more education to provide care, accreditation and changes of curriculum along with even the changes of the titles will be not noted immediately but within a few years.
I believe we need to focus upon that EMS can and is a profession. Yeah, even a profitable one. Even being in a region of lower pay for EMS; most of our Paramedics make comparable to RN's and schedules allow more time off.
Not debating EMS has room to grow, but so does all areas of medicine.
R/r 911