Back in 1996, the first EMS agenda was created. This agenda was a vision for the future of our profession and hadn't been updated until, January 2019 by NHTSA. This large document houses bold predictions of where the EMS profession will be in 2050, ultimately outlining six principles guiding our profession to a more people-centered system.
Let's take a look at some of the principles; fire up the delorean! (Back to the Future soundtrack enters here...)
It's the year 2050, when you get dispatched to a 52 year old male patient in cardiac arrest; you enter the ambulance and press "enroute" on the mobile computer. The self-driving ambulance begins heading to the call as dispatch informs you that they have sent a drone equipped with an AED to the location for bystander use. As you begin planning for the call, dispatch provides live video from the scene obtained from the drone. You arrive fully prepared for the situation and begin initiating care for the patient.
Evidence based medicine is a focal point in the profession and cardiac arrest survival rates have seen a steady increase since 2020. After ten minutes of treatment, you get a pulse back; you and your partner use a hover board stretcher to move the patient and continue care enroute to the hospital. You call the receiving hospital via the telemedicine monitor and update the team on the patients status. A couple weeks later, your training officer sets up a meeting with you and your partner; she informs you that the patient has been discharged from the hospital neurologically intact and reviews video footage of the call and provides feedback for improvement.
What!? Hover board stretchers....why not, my back isn't getting any younger and patients aren't getting any lighter!
This principle discusses how our profession is driven by evidence based medicine whether it involves patient care, equipment, or provider safety. This section of the agenda looks at how artificial intelligence and advances in technology can be used in the future to decrease provider injury, distribute information quickly, and improve patient outcomes.
In 2050, the "job" has become a recognized profession. Education has become a focal point and degrees are a requirement. A multitude of options exist and employees are offered training for management positions, specialty positions in healthcare, and assisted by government and employer to reach their educational goals.
As a result, the profession has become more competitive, with no massive shortage of community needs for prehospital providers. Compensation is fair with no gender or racial bias and allows us to support our families without working multiple jobs.
Our scope of practice has expanded as technology and education improves and evidence based medicine results in more consistent and effective patient care. State licenses no longer exist and you have one national license. This allows us to easily transition from one employer to the next with little delay.
In 2050, it's been all hands on deck; evidence based medicine has been driving the change in our profession. This collaboration is nationwide and information is shared quickly amongst other employers, research specialist, educators, government agencies, and employees.
Management makes this a priority in their agency to frequently review concrete evidence and new technology with the feedback from employees. Employees are trained to evaluate research papers, participate in research, and trained on the changes as they are approved. This collaboration allows for better compliance and understanding.
Ensuring quick and accurate communication between all parties involved (educators, legislators, employers, employees, researchers) will create consistency in training and implementation of new equipment, protocols, and treatment plans.
Only three of the six principles were covered in this blog. This paper is a guide and it is up to US to start incorporating and supporting these ideas. Without advancement in each principle, our profession will become stagnant and our current system will fail. We will continue to have high burnout, high rates of mental health issues and suicide rates, poor education of our next generation, etcetera. You get the idea. Lofty goals like these addressed in the agenda start with one individual, one team, and grow from there. We may not be successful on our first attempt, but do not be discouraged, continue to strive for improvement and eventually the right person, team, equipment, or process will come along and things will fall in place.
References:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (January, 2019). ems.gov. EMS Agenda 2050. Retrieved from https://www.ems.gov/projects/ems-agenda-2050.html
EMS Agenda 2050 Technical Expert Panel. (2019, January). EMS Agenda 2050: A People-Centered Vision for the Future of Emergency Medical Services (Report No. DOT HS 812 664). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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