This one goes out to everyone who has uttered the words, "these new guys don't know <insert expletive>". The "dumbing down" of EMS education has been a huge gripe since I have been doing this. However, I ask the question- where did YOU learn this knowledge that you claim the new guys don't get? Undoubtedly, much of your EMS knowledge came from those who came before you, who also complained that YOU didn't know <insert expletive>.
One of the coolest concepts I ever heard with regard to original EMS courses was told to me by my partner James- EMT classes prepare you to pass a test that allows you to learn to be an EMT. It is the duty of field providers to teach people the things they need to know!
For those of you so concerned about the dumbing down of EMS- have you seen the advances in the BLS scope of practice alone? When I first started, the idea that an EMT would ever be allowed to given MEDICATION was foreign. Now, we are giving epinephrine, aspirin, albuterol, etc. Who would have thought even ten years ago that paramedics would be performing therapeutic hypothermia in the field? Some hospitals still can't! Evidence-based medicine is giving us a lot more tools- CPAP (which will probably be a BLS skills), capnography, etc. and "traditions" are being debunked. It's great to see doctors participating in EMS research, and taking a truly active role in development of prehospital medicine.
However, the most important thing is the provider, who must always be willing to teach the new guy, not complain about them. We must participate in wielding the giant caduceus- making a constant commitment to improving the way prehospital care is done on our truck, participating in continuing education, and staying on board with the advances being made. The information is out there- and some of it is in our heads...find it and share it before saying the people you work with don't know <insert expletive>. Just like you learned EMS from those before you- now it's your turn to teach! Just make sure you teach it right.
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