Air-Medical Transport Experience in Emergency Medicine Residencies: Then and Now

Abstract

Objective:The appropriate activation and effective utilization of air-medical transport (AMT) services is an important skill for emergency medicine physicians in the United States.Previous studies have demonstrated variability with regards to emergency medical services (EMS) experience during residency training. This study was designed to evaluate the nature and extent of AMT training of the emergency medicine residency programs in the United States.Methods:An identity-unlinked survey of the program directors of all Accreditation Committee for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved emergency medicine residency programs was conducted.The survey focused on EMS and AMT resident training opportunities and was conducted in two phases (1999 and 2006) using near-identical methodologies.Results:Response rates of 82% and 84% were achieved in 1999 and 2006, respectively. Percentages of programs offering AMT experiences were similar between the two study phases (76% in 1999 and 65% in 2006). The roles of residents during AMT experiences ranged widely between observer-only, active team member, and medical director/team leader in both 1999 and 2006. Compared to those in 1999, programs in 2006 demonstrated a greater frequency of EMS rotations being provided earlier, by year of training during emergency medicine residency. Residencies located in non-metropolitan centers only were slightly more likely to offer AMT training than were those in metropolitan locations.Conclusions:A majority of emergency medicine residency programs offer AMT experience that includes both scene responses and inter-facility transports. The role of residents during AMT training varies widely, as does the timing of their experiences during residency. The geographical locations of programs do not appear to impact the availability of AMT training.

Emergency Medical Services Education in Emergency Medicine Residency Programs: A National Survey

“…Model curricula and program descriptions have focused primarily on the provision of medical oversight, quality assurance and improvement activities, education of EMS providers, and in‐field observational experiences 2,3,6,8,9 . However, a variety of other more active experiences have also been described, including resident integration as an in‐field provider within a ground or air EMS system and unique experiences within urban, rural, or wilderness environments 7,12–17 …”

“…The recommended amount and type of hands‐on experience in out‐of‐hospital care is less well defined, with various published recommendations including involvement in air or ground direct patient care activities and involvement in mass gathering activities and as medical directors for EMS agencies 4,7–9,12–14,16–19 . In a survey of U.S. and Canadian residency programs, Ray and Sole 20 identified that a majority (88%) of programs require observation with ground EMS, while working as an EMS provider is required in 28%.…”

Transport Medical Control Education for Pediatric Critical Care Fellows: A National Needs Assessment Study

“…entering fellowship (9,10). Thus, pediatric subspeciality fellows must learn the unique skills required to serve as TMC during fellowship, prior to transitioning to unsupervised practice.…”

“…The role of TMC during pediatric interfacility transport is often performed by PCCM physicians, but other pediatric subspecialities including emergency medicine and neonatology also serve as TMC (6–8). Unlike adult emergency medicine residents, who uniformly participate in transport, pediatric trainees are unlikely to have significant experience with interfacility transport prior to entering fellowship (9, 10). Thus, pediatric subspeciality fellows must learn the unique skills required to serve as TMC during fellowship, prior to transitioning to unsupervised practice.…”

956: Out of Sight: Transport Medical Control Education in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship

“…entering fellowship (9,10). Thus, pediatric subspeciality fellows must learn the unique skills required to serve as TMC during fellowship, prior to transitioning to unsupervised practice.…”