What’s the state of EMS 2011? If you’re an emergency health professional, you might be pondering that issue, as well as wondering what the future holds for EMS. This article will address some of those issues.
One thing is certain when it comes to EMS 2011 and the future of EMS: a career in emergency medical services is a good source of secure employment and better than average salary, both currently and in the future. As of 2008, there were 210,770 people employed as EMS personnel in the U.S. Job growth is projected at a 9% increase over the next 10 years, which means that it will grow at roughly the same rate as most occupations.
There are a number of things driving the trend in EMS careers. One factor is the increasing number of people without health insurance coverage. No insurance means that people postpone going to the doctor for routine checkups and physicals and often wait until they’re severely ill and require emergency assistance to get medical help. Another reason that more and more EMS personnel are needed is the large number of aging citizens who need more emergency medical assistance than a younger population.
Overburdened hospital emergency rooms are another factor figuring into the future of EMS. Oftentimes, when an ambulance arrives at the hospital, the patient has to wait in the vehicle with continued medical assistance because the ER has no space available for them. Another result of emergency room overcrowding is that EMS has to take them to another hospital that has room for them. In both of these situations, more time consumed by the emergency medical services providers result increased demand for personnel.
One thing that’s on the agenda of EMS 2011 is to standardize the certification process for EMT personnel, which is currently dependent on varying state licensure rules. The National Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council reports that the lack of a nationwide standard negatively impacts EMS in a variety of ways. These include the efficiency and effectiveness with which the public receives EMS assistance, as well as the morale of EMS workers. Another reason for nationalizing certification standards and practices is the ability of EMS personnel from different regions to work together effectively in the event of a national disaster or an occurrence with mass casualties. For these reasons, the future of EMS practically guarantees that certification standards will be federalized at some point soon.
Another trend in the future of EMS is a more proactive approach to the healthcare needs of communities. This will mean that EMS personnel will work at the state and local level with other agencies to develop more effective ways meet the demand for medical care that staves off emergencies. For instance, EMS workers would visit homeless shelters and senior centers to remind residents to take their medications so they can avoid an emergency medical situation.
The bottom line for EMS 2011 and beyond is that it will continue to be a source of stable employment and that changes will be made to make it more effective at the local and national level.
References:
http://www.ems.gov/pdf/nemsac/jan09/AttachB_Ed&Workforce_Interim_Report.pdf
