Pros And Cons Of EMS System

Although Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems have been around for decades, it is still perceived as the stepchild of health care services. It is one of the lowest paying professions with little room for advancement, yet high in demand by the citizens who need prompt pre-hospital emergency care. However, over the years EMS systems have made several advancements, making EMS more progressive and modern. Since the White Paper was release in 1966, several improvements have been made, including education in EMS. Currently, there is controversy on the issue if paramedics should possess some type of college degree, whether it is a two year, 4 year, or even higher. There are many pros and cons, including but not limited to the length to complete

Raphael M. Barishansky and Skip Kirkwood discuss the positive aspects of completing a college degree.
Some are concerned that if their degree took a long time to earn, it will appear less significant than one earned by a graduate who went the four-year, full-time route. To the contrary: A working man or woman who spent 10 years pursuing their BS at their own cost and in their spare time will appear, in the eyes of a promotion board or hiring manager, to be a determined, dedicated, capable individual--one who would be a tremendous asset to the organization (Barishansky & Skip Kirkwood, 2010).
Certain questions come into play when a paramedic assesses their need to complete a degree in EMS. The questions seeksanswers such as the worth of the degree, self-advancement, salary benefits, or promotional opportunities. Individuals who are content remaining a transport-field paramedic many not see the benefits of completing a degree. Most agencies do not require degrees, and the training a paramedic receives during school is sufficient enough to provide adequate patient care. However, the paramedics who desire to move up the ranks many look at it in a different light. There are two different perspectives to look at: the perspective of a field provider or the perspective of seeing the EMS system a

Many think of if it in a negative light. It is time consuming, financially it can be a burden, and the motivation to complete a degree many be low if EMS agencies do not offer many rewards or promotional opportunities. However, there are any positive aspects to completing a college degree in the field of EMS. It can make providers more desirable for leadership positions outside of being a field-transport paramedic, it can help providers think on more of a clinician level, and it gives the provider a broad knowledge-base of what goes into an EMS system, which in return will help build an enhanced system in the future. Overall, a college degree of any level will better a paramedic’s knowledge and help them advance in many different levels in an EMS