AnthonyM83

Professional students with abundant money are so rare that they don't really provide a good defense...but I also disagree with Ryder that their reasearch isn't respected. It's respected as much as anyone else obtaining the same degree. The fact they have a bunch of past degrees doesn't change good research. Anyway, UMS, I don't see a doctorate being on the same ladder as BLS and ALS. It would have its own track and be associated with the medical profession or whatever the closest pre-existing category is. I'd see it more of an administrative type degree or just doing research on EMS efficiency, different programs, and so on...probably in the hospital setting too. If someone wanted to work in the field treating (in reference to those kids working the EMS service on campus), it'd be kinda dumb to go for a doctorate. Their medical knowledge isn't going to be THAT more advanced and their scope of practice is still going to be the same (EMTP level). If an EMTB kid from campus wants to reach higher, he should go for EMTP, RN, MD, etc...not a PhD. They'd be two different tracks.

I imagined the PhDs workinig more alongside the people doing medical research on response times, protocols, and comparing survival rates and reporting to similar entities, rather than being academically connected with the basics and paramedics. It's more in the way that a criminology PhD is usually neither actively working in the field of law enforcement nor reporting directly to the cops coming out of the academy. It doesn't require that police academies get harder or recruits require degrees before the PhDs' studies can be published.

Thanks guys. Yeah, we were using Yahoo search b/c it was the default on that computer. Guess google is a bit better

PRPG, While I'm not working in the EMS frield, yet, I feel I can still disagree here. A doctorate would be for performing research and advancing the field from the academic end. If there's a group that thinks this is possible, I think it can only help the field. A PhD would not be performing in the field, but rather doing research, so one doesn't have to wait until emergency responders (basics, paramedics) earn higher status or education levels. A PhD can be independent of that. A PhD in EMs is not going to be some sort of super medic, but a perhaps an ally in advancing the field (not necessarily the profession, though hopefully that too).

Hey guys, Working on a school project where we're acting out a drug treatment session as presentation. I'm trying to find good pictures of track marks to show my groupmates to try to see if we can draw some on with makeup or marker or something. We haven't had good luck searching images online...they're all far away. Thanks A

There's also the issue of finances. For example, I chose to take mine at a community college, because it was 5 minutes from home, but also less expensive then a private program. I'd love to take the most in-depth class available, but it's not too likely. Also, a lot of EMTs are younger kids who can't afford the good programs. This is reminding me of previous conversations on this topic. It's all one big circle, I guess.

I think it's a pretty well accepted theory, but I'll defer to: http://sickle.bwh.harvard.edu/malaria_sickle.html and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?...=gnd.section.98

I know this is an old post, but wanted to say I think this is a result of the classrooms?/teachers?/textbooks?/DOT? being scared of liability. Very quickly I figured out how they just want us to actually be basic technicians. It's like following algorithm. Sure, the instructors tried to get us to see the big picture and not get stuck on the algorithm (cookbook?), but unless they made the classes and requirements longer, I don't think that'd be a good idea. There'd be too many 'crazy ideas' EMTs would try. I think their role currently serves the setup of the system. As far as I know, the main places you can get hired (ambulance or FD), you're going to have paramedics partnered with you wherever you go who can make those deviations from cookbook treatment that require critical thinking skills.

When I rode with the fire department, downtime allowed us just enough to do a quick ambulance clean-up/restock and eat 1/2 our meals. When riding with AMR, most of "downtime" was spent driving to another part of town to be available for calls (when one ambulance gets a call, another is called in to be available in that area should another call come in). The two extended downtimes we did have (from 2 12-hour ride-alongs) the paramedic was doing his law school homework and the EMT was watching high school girl's volleyball on TV and sleeping

Thanks!

And just to clarify, that amplification of WBC in sickle cell happens just as a "side product" of the bone marrow producing more erythrocytes, rather than for a specific purpose?

That'd be nice if EMT employers were more picky around here. There's a 6 month waiting list (and that's short) and there's not much you can do to get ahead, I've been told. You just have to wait until they get to you, if you qualify, they hire you. You can't get ahead by being more hirable/qualified/professional/better recommended than the others. You just kinda wait your turn to get in.

Sorry. The page I read made me think that they were only amplified in response to other sicknesses that sickle cell person also has. Ill be more careful PS: apostrophe key not working

Right, it is there as something to fall back on, specifically for newbies, to give you some kind of linear guidance. Just like you dont follow SAMPLE from S to E on every call, but it sure comes in handy if you find yourself at a loss...something to keep you kind of grounded.

Yes, each sickle RBC carries less oxygen (from textbook), because of its deformity but I'm almost certain it doesn't affect WBC much content ( for details see: http://www.drspock.com/article/0,1510,5072,00.html )

Provocation Associated Symptoms Sputum Talking Medications Exacerbation/Alleviation Duration Severity of Distress I think it's basic enough stuff. I think it can be used for more than just breathing difficulty, but it was presented in class for that purpose. Dust, I think having a heads up on this stuff can before transporting would be good, in case condition worsens en-route. In some cases aggressive bagging (if needed / becomes needed) is more important than in others, for example.

Isn't it pretty important to get a history from the family so you have some background information when you get into the ER? Not at the cost of treating the patient, but while you're loading and going at least?

They teach it at Foothill College for breathing difficulty calls. He told us one day we're going to be on the job, get our first call, walk in with our clean new uniform, with it's nice military press and shiny boots, going yeah, 'I'm an EMT', walk in the door and see a horrible SOB patient, yelling at you to help him, and a crazy family, and your just going to stand there frozen thinking 'aaaaah'. He said when that happens, just remember PASTMEDS, PASTMEDS, PASTMEDS. We also learned OPQRST. We didn't really do BCAPBTLS, though, but it was in the book.

I say you need to take into account the cost of living in the area to make that decision. Calibrate.

I only scanned through the posts, but it sure seemed people were egging her on and not compensating for her age which everyone was aware of. She responded overly defensively, but people were making unusual comments, such as saying her under 21 drinking in private could reflected on her ability as a paramedic. I know many pre-laws, pre-meds, many current police officers/sergeants, EMT students, and a LARGE majority drank underage. Most of these people are normal people who in their youth have drank. I'm sure you guys have done some mild speeding, too (which puts others in danger, unlike drinking). Speeding is a crime cops around here care far more about than an 18 year old drinking in private. It seemed like people were ganging up on her (probably because of past reputation?) on technicalities. If she instead had a cup of wine with dinner with her parents during special holiday dinners, I doubt people would be going off about how it's TECHNICALLY illegal. It seemed like people were (slightly desperate) reaching for ways to come down on her. Maybe this was deserved because of past threads. I don't know. I know she WAS acting childishly, but anecdotal threads like this don't really prove a point. It's not like the regular 18yros who DON'T cause waves will get recognized. They probably won't even tell people their age on the sites. As far as 18yro paramedics, some can do the job quite properly (those exceptions you talked about), so only hire those exceptions, then.

Eh...I'd submit that it's not the smartest thing NOT to try with your classmates

I think so. She's Christina Ricci. She did Casper, as well. She's way older than 22 in real life, though. She turned out alright... For all: BTW, in this part II episode the surgeon specifically point her out as the hero who saves that man's life.

Her hand was on an explosive device in the wound of a patient. She was applying pressure to stop bleeding, so she was going to hold it until they started surgery, but then they realized her hand was on metal and there was undetonated explosive inside patient that could blow if she released pressure. The anesthesiologist was asked to stay to keep bagging him (they disconnected all electrial equipment) while bomb squad responded and figured out a plan, but he chickened out, told her the rhythm to bag patient at as if he was just talking to her or distracting her or taking a little break, but then left the 22 yro new medic by herself in the dark room freaking out, with one hand on a bomb, and the other bagging the patient. And she was hot.

She said they were fun to think, but not to use.

I think it was a bit out of line to leave her there by herself like that, terrified. If he had to leave, he could call someone else to stay with her (cop or other doctor)...not just hand the bag over to her, then slowly make for the door. Dust, who violated scene safety? When specifically?