Prehospital care

[clc26]

Anyone else interested in prehospital care as a career with emergency medicine?
I am however as i am finding out, there is no real pathway and at the moment apart from HEMS, its all voluntary!
what do you all think of that?
anyone got any tips on how to try and get involved with prehospital care and show an interest CV-wise?

[DigitalMythic]

Again quite like HEMS, you could see if you can get some experience with your local BASICS (HOME PAGE) scheme! Most people who I know in those types of scheme come from different backgrounds like GPs, A+E Docs and Anesthetists. All of whom have done PHTLS, AMLS, ATLS or similar courses (i.e the Pre-Hospital) courses.

Its something im quiet interested in and hopefull by the time I get out the other end, there will be a more developed pathway

[heed]

Pre-Hospital care is what I ultimately want to do - with a background in Anaesthetics and ITU. There's not much scope for full time pre-hospital work in this country. In scotland we have the EMRS and BASICS (I'm a member), and all the helicopter work down south is on a voluntary basis from what I know (except paid HEMS registrar posts at the Royal London). I plan to do ACCS and then go into anaesthetics, do a STaR course aswell as my ALS ATLS PHTLS bla bla bla and then probably go to Oz to work for the RFDS or NRMA CareFlight or something, or to France to work with the SAMU. We should found some sort of society or something lol

[clc26]

thanks for your repsonses. yeh i already knew of BASICS but not willing to pay that fee to join as a student, dont see why i would throw my money away....or am i missing something?

anyhoo, since my post, i have arranged some work with the paramedics and hopefully some time at a racing cicuit shadowing the docs, should be fun! just a shame the local air ambulances are unwilling to allow me some time on the helicopter :-(

[scohoust]

thanks for your repsonses. yeh i already knew of BASICS but not willing to pay that fee to join as a student, dont see why i would throw my money away....or am i missing something?

BASICS and BASICS Scotland are effectively two different organisations. Students can join in Scotland for free (although we don't get a journal).

just a shame the local air ambulances are unwilling to allow me some time on the helicopter :-(

Almost none will, insurance and space are the issues here.

[clc26]

my 2 student colleagues were allowed on the air ambulance for their electives :-(

[Frank E]

thanks for your repsonses. yeh i already knew of BASICS but not willing to pay that fee to join as a student, dont see why i would throw my money away....or am i missing something?

anyhoo, since my post, i have arranged some work with the paramedics and hopefully some time at a racing cicuit shadowing the docs, should be fun! just a shame the local air ambulances are unwilling to allow me some time on the helicopter :-(

Erm, yes you're missing something it's FREE, GRATIS, ZILCH to join BASICS as a student!
(well it is here)

It's not so glamorous once inside a helicopter. ;-)

[Leo2004]

BASICS offer an excellent moulage and lecture based course:
prehospital emergency care, which on passing the assessment
grants a cert in prehospital care from RCS(Ed).

Possession of this type of course is de rigeur for this work, at
least as a basics pt doc in the uk...

[_Shines_]

Joining BASICS is a really good idea. Superb teaching and training courses. Societies already exist in some universities- Southampton has "Friends of basics."

Recent careers fairs in Wessex and London both suggest that a training programme and speciality is not that many years away! Meanwhile best training pathway is exactly what heed suggested!

[Frank E]

Shines, you can see the work of BASICS in Hampshire on television if further insight is required. The BBC are following the emergency services as directed by Hampshire Police in Real Rescues which is on BBC1 weekdays at 09:15.

It's on iPlayer and not the usual sensationalised Police chase dreck.

BBC iPlayer - Real Rescues: Series 4: Episode 3
FF to 17mins: BASICS Doctor paged to serious RTA.