education higher than a Bachelor's degree in EMS

[UMSTUDENT]

I think that is pretty much as it should be. I'm afraid I don't really see a lot of outlets for those with graduate education in EMS, even in the future. That's pretty much how it is in every other health science too. Heck, that's pretty much how it is in any field, period. And look at nursing. A MSN gets you a management job, a teaching job, or a clinical specialty (CRNA, NP, CNS), but it does pretty well price you out of the wards.

In over thirty years, we still haven't even gotten EMS education up to the Associates Degree level. I am all for plotting our course for the future. But even if that standard were implemented today, it would be at least thirty more years before we started seeing significant numbers of Bachelors degreed paramedics, much less Masters and beyond. I'd like to see them in education primarily, because that is the most critical need. Things like the so-called "Advanced Practice Paramedic" could exist at the MS level, and practise in a similar realm as the PA or NP, but obviously with a different focus. But, again, education and management would be our priorities, so that those running the field and those preparing the next generation have the insight necessary to do it, and not just MBAs and MPAs.

Now, working out here where I am, with a lot of paramedics who think their little 1000 hour first aid course prepares them to practise medicine, I have come to the very definite realisation that a significantly focused educational track is necessary before letting people loose delivering primary care like that. Paramedic school is a lot like karate school. A little knowledge is dangerous. And what you get in one or two years of either one is really just enough to get your arse kicked.

I agree completely. Of my courses that focus on EMS education, there is one thing that is consistently mentioned throughout the course. Most EMS providers are not educated at the collegiate level and many of them, sadly, have not had the very basics of education (proper high school education) to properly engage in analytical thought.

Now I'm no specialist in EMS education, but it seems to be that most of it can be summarized like this:

Teaching EMS providers is much like teaching most adults, except that they are extraordinarily stubborn, pompous, and have EXTREMELY short attention spans. They are often unable to incorporate new or different learning styles that may not be immediately familiar to them. This basically is like teaching special education kids and can be very frustrating. That’s what I took away from my introductory classes.

[paraloco]

Dust, maybe if our level of education won't improve rapidly enough, EMS in the U.S. should be limited to the basic level, maybe a few intermediate skills. Wouldn't hurt my feelings. just don't cut my pay. It would take a big effort, but might be worth it.

[VentMedic]

Many community colleges in the U.S. that offer an EMS program has an Associates degree. The problem is they don't make the prerequisites (college level A&P, micro, math) to Paramedic mandatory. The certificate only needs the core classes. Thus there is no initiative to finish the degree after you get an entry level job or already have a job.

It just takes a big push at the State and National level to get the Associates mandatory before testing for the Paramedic exam on a National level. Once this educational standard is established, other professions would not be able to "challenge" the Paramedic exam. As long as it stays as a certificate, other healthcare professionals can take the exam. Florida just recently saw a couple of additions to the growing list of other professionals that can challenge the exam and obtain Florida license. So far, I believe only one state (Oregon) requires a 2 year degree and I don't believe it has to be in EMS.

If anybody reads the fine print references in the EMS magazines, the research for many of the modalities used in EMS are coming from other healthcare professionals and NOT EMS people. EMS is riding the coat tails of others and not even taking the initiative to improve from within or be responsible for the advancement/recognition of their field.

Once educational levels are established, there will be a need for Bachelors and Masters trained people with education credentials to maintain these programs. It shouldn't be left to the medic moonlighting to pick up extra money on the side at the local trade school with no ambitions to actually educate.

If there has not been enough foresight after 30 years in this profession to see a value for education, then maybe it is time to re-evaluate the credentials and skills allowed. Research is bringing more changes and technology. Putting it into the hands of minimally educated AND trained people will eventually lead to undesired outcomes that will fall on the provider with the patient being at risk.

[CBEMT]

So far, I believe only one state (Oregon) requires a 2 year degree and I don't believe it has to be in EMS.

I've come to believe that this is what it's going to take- legistlation at the state level to enforce change.

In strong union states, however, it's never going to happen.

[VentMedic]

In strong union states, however, it's never going to happen.

It has happened for every other healthcare profession including nursing which has a big and powerful union. Nursing degrees as a licensing standard in all states happened after EMS got a good start. Diploma nurse programs were still around when some colleges were starting two year degrees for EMS.

[JPINFV]

Adding to the research path, another option would be as a research liaison for other fields. I just got out of my Bio. of Memory and Learning class where we had Dr. McGaugh (PhD, not MD/DO) give a guest lecture. One of the things that he touched on is the current controversy (both ethically and scientifically) regarding strong memories (for example, post traumatic stress disorder type memories) and beta-blockers. Beta-blockers have been shown to decrease amygdala activity and has in one study been shown to decrease PTSD if given before 2-3 hours following the event. Another study showed no affect when given 5-6 hours after the incident.

Baring ethical concerns [should we be messing with memory? If so, by how much and when?], maybe EMS might be one way to enroll patients in studies that have a short window where drug therapy might be effective. Of course you'd need educated individuals that understand EMS to help coordinate the EMS side of the research project.

[CBEMT]

It has happened for every other healthcare profession including nursing which has a big and powerful union.

Because the union was in FAVOR of higher education as a means to higher pay for their members and better care for their patients.

The union we're talking about doesn't give a @#$%. They've already got the pay, and patients are simply run numbers that justify trucks.