Physicians Seek Recognition for EMS as Subspecialty of Emergency Medicine

[CBEMT]

As announced in this month's issue of EMS Magazine, (Click to read) the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) along with the American College of Emergency Physicians have formally applied to the American Board of Emergency Medicine for EMS to be recognized as a true subspecialty of emergency medicine.

This will be the second appeal in two decades, but the feeling among physicians in the EMS community is that the time is right. EMSResponder.com spoke with NAEMSP president Ted Delbridge to learn more about this effort.

Over the years, he explained, the number of EMS fellowship and academic programs have multiplied, producing physicians who consider themselves to be specialists in EMS or prehospital care. So now, "There is a critical mass of physicians with an interest in this field," he said, and "As a whole, the group has become better able to articulate its specific fund of knowledge."

http://www.emsresponder.com/article/articl...p;siteSection=1

[Lone Star]

Now that we have several 'powerhouse organizations' that are willing to push for EMS to become a 'recognized as a 'true subspecialty of emergency medicine', the question we have to as as a group is, "What can we as EMS providers do to further help this push?".

From what I can tell, if the American Board of Emergency Medicine considers this request favorably, we are one step closer to being viewed as a profession, and no longer 'just a job'.

I for one can, only hope that by considering the request favorably will result in a more 'uniform' scope of practice throughout the U.S.; and a more standardized level of prehospital care.

This is not something that is just going to be handed to us; we have to be willing to make more sacrifices to further this goal! Be it higher educational standards, tougher testing, more rigerous licensing requirements, or more stringent continuing education. Not everyone is going to be able to make the 'jump', and we need to stand ready to weed out the 'weak links' within this field.

Remember, being recognized as a 'medical professional', we will have to conduct ourselves as such, and there will be more responsibility bestowed upon us. We need to show the American Board of Emergency Medicine that we are ready to stand up and accept that responsibility, and that we can handle the mantle that could be placed squarely on our shoulders.

With more responsibility, could come more autonomy, and we need to eradicate the 'cookbook providers' from our ranks!

[akroeze]

I don't think they are trying to recognize the providers as a medical specialty. I think they are trying to recognize the EMS Physicians who oversee them as a medical specialty.

[Dustdevil]

I don't think they are trying to recognize the providers as a medical specialty. I think they are trying to recognize the EMS Physicians who oversee them as a medical specialty.

Exactly. And good Doctor Bledsoe is at the forefront of that movement. When they pull that off, it will be one step closer for us. When medical directors are specifically educated in the realities of our pathetic preparation and qualification, they will be beside us in pushing for a significant elevation of standards. As I have said before, the easiest and fastest way for EMS to improve today would be for all the Medical Directors to simply walk out and say, "No. We're not putting our licences on the line anymore for people with less training than our barbers."

[akroeze]

I tend to take the view that this further cements the relationship between doctors and EMS which shouldn't have to be there in the first place. This will make it even harder to become an independent profession with our own scope of practice if we have a group who has their own agenda for keeping it under their domain.

[AnthonyM83]

Yes, it will make physicians more in charge of EMS, but honestly, at least it will bring professionalism and attention to it. It can lead to better research funding, training, standards, us having more influence through them. And they're never going take our place (least in any of our lifetimes).

[CBEMT]

I tend to take the view that this further cements the relationship between doctors and EMS which shouldn't have to be there in the first place.

You're right. But at the moment, it's what we need. Pride goeth before the fall.

[JPINFV]

I tend to take the view that this further cements the relationship between doctors and EMS which shouldn't have to be there in the first place. This will make it even harder to become an independent profession with our own scope of practice if we have a group who has their own agenda for keeping it under their domain.

...because NPs and PAs don't have any physician oversight (or "collaboration")?

[spenac]

I think that if it becomes a specialty we will find more medical directors that take an active role. They then will start raising the standards for the people that work under them. Then this will finally lead to us having strict entry level standards and even see many of the worthless people we have today in EMS being removed from services.

[chbare]

It is interesting; however, physicians in the United States are not as involved in EMS as many other countries. In countries such as South Africa and Australia, physicians work extensively in the pre-hospital environment and are quite involved with the pre-hospital providers. This is something that is unique in the United States. So, I see this as a potentially good move for physicians in the United States.

Take care,

chbare.