Another year has come and gone. It feels like 2007 has just gotten started. I’m not quite prepared for 2008 yet. I was just getting around to that old New Year’s resolution to lose 20 pounds of ugly fat. Speedo or bust! (I bust.)

Looking back, 2007 was the year of new technologies in EMS. Nothing stands still — nothing remains the same. While there are many new things (large and small) out there that we can all get really excited about, my personal choice is the continuing expansion of simulation training.

The opportunities to practice skills and critical thinking on actual patients are rapidly drying up. There are, of course, many reasons for this, but perhaps the most obvious is the legal liability associated with potential patient injury by trainees. Simulator manufacturers and some EMS agencies have recognized this limitation and have been diligently developing more realistic simulator options. Unfortunately, the high end versions can be expensive. Luckily, there are less expensive models that can be useful and hopefully all the prices of these products will drop soon. This is the wave of the future. I, for one, welcome it.

Recently, my agency’s staff pushed the boundaries of simulation into new frontiers. While I was out of town — visiting the Laerdal factory no less — “Larry”, AMR Colorado’s SimMan simulator, filled in for me as medical director. It worries me that Larry reportedly did a great job. He smiled at everyone, never hassled the crews about their calls, and proved to be a great listener. He was never late for work and was unfailingly politically correct in all interactions with our customers. In fact, he never complained about anything — except maybe some chest pain and shortness of breath.

In addition, he is substantially younger than me and has rock hard abs. He did so well that my staff started calling him “Dr. Larry.”

Dr. Larry, in full Christmas elf regalia, making himself quite at home at my desk as he enjoys a hot cup O’ Joe from my mug! (No, this is not my standard medical director attire and. no, the tube between his legs is not a foley).

Well, now it’s time to kick off my 2008 New Year’s resolution — to lose 30 pounds. I have a ways to go to catch up to Dr. Larry!