"What's in a name?" Dr. Bledsoe's article
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WuLabsWuTecH
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BLS vs ALS is a big difference. A good portion of calls are ALS aorund where I live. Can't see where he's going with that last quote.
Agreed thought that the wording is confusing. Some friends (not in EMS) call me a paramedic and I've just stopped correcting them. I've had an ER Doc (who was a professor of a class I was taking) introduce me to someone as his student in the classroom, but also a paramedic in the real world.
Calling everyone a paramedic would solve the issue for the layperson, but how do we differentiate between them on a professional level? Instead of EMT-B, -I, -P should we go with Paramedic-1, Paramedic-2, Paramedic-3?
That would allow us to call everyone a medic for the soundbyte on the 6 o'clock news, and allow us to distinguish professionally the difference? We could still keep truck names the same under this system with Squads, Advanceds, and Medics respectively. Although i've always hated the Advanced designation, it makes it sound more advanced than the medic. Also on the fireground it causes a lot of confusion.
"Advanced 99 on the scene." Advanced what? Is the truck with the bigger ladder here? Is the Assistant Chief here?
Agreed thought that the wording is confusing. Some friends (not in EMS) call me a paramedic and I've just stopped correcting them. I've had an ER Doc (who was a professor of a class I was taking) introduce me to someone as his student in the classroom, but also a paramedic in the real world.
Calling everyone a paramedic would solve the issue for the layperson, but how do we differentiate between them on a professional level? Instead of EMT-B, -I, -P should we go with Paramedic-1, Paramedic-2, Paramedic-3?
That would allow us to call everyone a medic for the soundbyte on the 6 o'clock news, and allow us to distinguish professionally the difference? We could still keep truck names the same under this system with Squads, Advanceds, and Medics respectively. Although i've always hated the Advanced designation, it makes it sound more advanced than the medic. Also on the fireground it causes a lot of confusion.
"Advanced 99 on the scene." Advanced what? Is the truck with the bigger ladder here? Is the Assistant Chief here?
Shishkabob
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WuLabsWuTecH
Does every single patient, or even 51% of them, get an IV or intubated? Or do most get basic interventions?
That's what he means.
Does every single patient, or even 51% of them, get an IV or intubated? Or do most get basic interventions?
That's what he means.
daedalus
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Bledsoe struck a nerve, pointless juvenile bickering on EMS social networking websites? I would like to think that we are not children fighting over silly edumacation. I would like to think that some of us are effective EMS advocates who will not let their guard down against EMTs who push for lowering educational standards.
Sasha
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I took it as a move to eliminate confusing levels and have everyone just "provide" the same consistent level of care. No differentiated basic life support or advanced life support, just life support across the board.
But, eh, I could be reading too far into it, haven't read the article yet, just scanned the quotes.
JPINFV
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In terms of eliminating "BLS and ALS," I think he's getting at the use of BLS and ALS to characterize interventions into two seperate groups.
daedalus
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I see his point with respect that both RNs and LVNs are called nurses, but the difference in their education is about a year, and LVN cannot be obtained in 2 weeks like EMT.
Having an 2 week wonder EMT called a paramedic after I will have worked 13 months plus pre reqs for the title annoys me. Call it juvenile if you will, but doctors are having the same debate about NPs being called doctor, so I see this debate on both sides.
Having an 2 week wonder EMT called a paramedic after I will have worked 13 months plus pre reqs for the title annoys me. Call it juvenile if you will, but doctors are having the same debate about NPs being called doctor, so I see this debate on both sides.
Sasha
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Ohhh please don't start that again.
Shishkabob
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Kind of high-horse, isn't it?
Difference between a fast track EMT and fast track Medic is what, 20 weeks?
Heck, difference between a college EMT and college medic is still only a year. So why is it acceptable to you to call a LVn and RN both nurses, being a year apart, but EMT's can't be called medics, having even less time separation.
Chelle
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Where can you get your EMT-B in 2 weeks???
Scout
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Whats an NPs
Shishkabob
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NP = Nurse Practitioner.
Oh yes, he wants to do that again.
I will soon be able to use the term "doctor" in my title. We have professors, Physical Therapists and a whole host of other medical and non-medical people that use the term "doctor". Have you not ever been to a college and noticed the titles of the educators? Even in college EMS programs there is usually someone over the department that has a doctorate degree although it is usually a nurse.
The DNP has been around for almost 2 decades and it has not been an issue until a couple of doctors wrote an article once the NPs confirmed they were raising their entry level education. Out of the thousands of other doctors, this has not be a problem for them. In fact, most enjoy having those who work in their offices to have advanced education since it could only serve to improve patient care. Believe it or not that is the argument other healthcare professions have also used when petitioning for higher standards. They didn't say "cause we want more money". They said "as a profession we would like to be able to better serve the patients".
http://www.aanp.org/NR/rdonlyres/59523729-0179-466A-A7FB-BDEE68160E8E/0/NPCurriculum.pdf
From the AANP website:
Just like the handful of doctors that took offense to nurses gaining another degree, EMS will meet the same opposition from others if they ever start to advance. EMS has already encountered these arguments and many have just taken the low road to education. Unfortunately most of the opposition has come from within EMS. There are perceived enemies of EMS providers in other healthcare professions but much of that is a myth.
I will soon be able to use the term "doctor" in my title. We have professors, Physical Therapists and a whole host of other medical and non-medical people that use the term "doctor". Have you not ever been to a college and noticed the titles of the educators? Even in college EMS programs there is usually someone over the department that has a doctorate degree although it is usually a nurse.
The DNP has been around for almost 2 decades and it has not been an issue until a couple of doctors wrote an article once the NPs confirmed they were raising their entry level education. Out of the thousands of other doctors, this has not be a problem for them. In fact, most enjoy having those who work in their offices to have advanced education since it could only serve to improve patient care. Believe it or not that is the argument other healthcare professions have also used when petitioning for higher standards. They didn't say "cause we want more money". They said "as a profession we would like to be able to better serve the patients".
Maybe some should become familiar with the titles of higher education. As well, some should read about how other professions have advanced their education. NPs have been planning their next move since 2004 to take in effect 2015. RT did a 10 year plan for their Associates degree with 5 years to implement and 5 years to grandfather. They also have plans for the Bachelors degree and are awaiting a couple of Bills to pass in Washington, D.C. before they precede with the future. PT has made the Doctorate their recommended education for practice.
http://www.aanp.org/NR/rdonlyres/59523729-0179-466A-A7FB-BDEE68160E8E/0/NPCurriculum.pdf
From the AANP website:
Just like the handful of doctors that took offense to nurses gaining another degree, EMS will meet the same opposition from others if they ever start to advance. EMS has already encountered these arguments and many have just taken the low road to education. Unfortunately most of the opposition has come from within EMS. There are perceived enemies of EMS providers in other healthcare professions but much of that is a myth.
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ResTech
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While I don't agree with everything said in Dr Bledsoe's article I do think he made some really good points. EMS has way too many certification titles and provider levels. While I don't agree calling everyone a Paramedic is the correct approach, some sort of National standard should be adopted.
Daedalus, how long have you been an EMT yourself? Have you paid your dues in EMS? Ever spent holiday's away from your family providing coverage for your community? Or missed meals with your family because a EMS call came in?
Daedalus, how long have you been an EMT yourself? Have you paid your dues in EMS? Ever spent holiday's away from your family providing coverage for your community? Or missed meals with your family because a EMS call came in?
This is an interesting quote from one of the posters below the article at
http://www.ems1.com/Columnists/bryan-bledsoe/articles/504848-Whats-in-a-name
http://www.ems1.com/Columnists/bryan-bledsoe/articles/504848-Whats-in-a-name
daedalus
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Vent and Sasha, this time, you are 180 degrees off. I said that even doctors have hissy fits over their titles. Did I say that I agreed with them?
In fact, Sasha will tell you that I have moved on from the DNP thing and have adopted a policy of live and let live. I have far to many things to worry about right now other than who is getting called doctor and who is not. As long as DNP schools push for more than 4 units of pathophysiology, fine.
However, to back up my statement that doctors are indeed fighting over the use of the word doctor, here is the American Medical Association statement on the issue. Like I have said, I have no opinion.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/471/303.doc
Where I live and work, you will be hard pressed to find a 20 week paramedic school. Questa College, NCTI Santa Barbara, and Ventura College are all year long programs and all three have transferrable college units recognized by the community college system. There is no comparison between an AS degreed paramedic and a two week first aid cert EMT. Sorry.
In fact, Sasha will tell you that I have moved on from the DNP thing and have adopted a policy of live and let live. I have far to many things to worry about right now other than who is getting called doctor and who is not. As long as DNP schools push for more than 4 units of pathophysiology, fine.
However, to back up my statement that doctors are indeed fighting over the use of the word doctor, here is the American Medical Association statement on the issue. Like I have said, I have no opinion.
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/471/303.doc
Where I live and work, you will be hard pressed to find a 20 week paramedic school. Questa College, NCTI Santa Barbara, and Ventura College are all year long programs and all three have transferrable college units recognized by the community college system. There is no comparison between an AS degreed paramedic and a two week first aid cert EMT. Sorry.
Sasha
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Actually, I wont. You are contradicting yourself all over the place!
daedalus
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Why may I ask are you calling for an inventory of my EMS experience? BTW, I do not miss meal with my family because I get a call. I am a paid EMT and therefore spend my shift at station, not at home.
I have multiple Christmas's, many birthdays and other family events. I have worked in Public Health for uninsured residents of my county for 5 years and EMS for 2 and a half.
downunderwunda
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All good ALS begins with BLS, Is not the maintenence of Airway, Assistance of Breathing & Assistance in Circulation BLS BEFORE it becomes ALS? Airwaymaintenance through a simple jaw thrust, or an OPA can be effective, BVM is not an ALS skill, but is effective, CPR is not an ALS skill.
I think that the US needs to look at the definition of the term Paramedic in order to answer this bit. The Cambridge dictionary defines it as
This is a universal name & just about every country other than the US has no difficulty with it.
There is also an option to further distinguish internally using these numbers. We have ICP, as well as ECP here, Intensive Care & Extended Care, but to the public, we are all the same.
Use car numbers that are unique. Who really cares?
daedalus
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No, I haven't. I have said to you that I respect and admire the education process for RNs and NPs, because I have seen people I know go through it.
The only reason I mentioned the conflict between MDs and NPs is because I wanted to show that EMS is not the only profession fighting over titles. I will say it again, I do not mind who and who does not use the title "doctor" in the clinical setting. It does not concern me yet, as I have not advanced to that level and when I get there, I will have to see how I feel.
VentMedic is certainly entitled to use the title doctor, because in academia, a PhD is generally considered a higher doctorate than a first professional degree like an MD or DNP. It is a huge accomplishment and I would be the first to congratulate her.