One of the hallmarks of a good provider is ongoing professional development and education. EMS is always developing as new science and new technology come to light. Along with changes in clinical knowledge and best practices, we see constant (if sometimes slow) shifts in operational standards, attitudes about the profession and its role in the community, and our own mental health.
Keeping your knowledge up to date and staying on top of important changes in the profession doesn’t just impact your long-term success in the field. It can also help your upward mobility in emergency medicine and your overall mental wellbeing.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR EMS PROVIDERS
It’s a great time to be a provider. In recent years, there’s been a rise in quality reading and listening material for those looking for professional development. And since time and attention spans are so often hard to come by, the rise of podcasts is a welcome resource!
10 Minute Medic Podcast
This podcast offers to-the-point educational tips for busy paramedic students. Dr. Bill Young of Eastern Kentucky University discusses essential clinical information, the latest research and helpful insights for wide-ranging topics – and amazingly, manages to keep every episode 10 minutes or shorter!
Medic Mindset Podcast
Once you listen to this podcast, you’ll be hooked. Hosted by Ginger Locke of Austin Community College, each episode is an intelligent and deeply thoughtful interview with a paramedic and subject matter expert. Whether you’re a fresh EMT or a medic with decades of experience, there’s something to be gained here.
Curbside to Bedside Podcast and Articles
Another podcast out of Eastern Kentucky University, this one was created by two paramedics to keep current providers and students up to date and on top of their game. There’s a new episode each month. The podcast is a great listen, but the website also includes short but wonderfully helpful summaries of each episode.
Limmer Education Articles
We write about everything from EMS humor to changes in best practices to detailed case studies for the EMS community. You can check out all of our articles for EMS practitioners here. (You can also sign up to get them in your inbox!)
emDocs Articles
It’s not specific to prehospital care, but it is one of the best sources for in-depth, open-access medical education. Run by seven emergency physicians, emDocs presents timely, well-vetted research on developments in emergency medicine.
FOAMFinder
This is a free search engine and community website. FOAMFinder helps you find and organize the volumes of FOAMed content available (#FOAM or #FOAMed stands for free open access medical education). FOAMFinder aggregates blogs, podcasts, videos, images and even Twitter conversations, and gives you a single place to check for the latest content.
CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR EMS PROVIDERS
It’s a great time to be a provider. In recent years, there’s been a rise in quality reading and listening material for those looking for professional development. And since time and attention spans are so often hard to come by, the rise of podcasts is a welcome resource!
Distance CME
We really like Distance CME for continuing education units. They offer high-quality, online courses that will keep your attention and make you an even better practitioner.
EMS Apps
It’s not just students who use our apps. A lot of providers at every level also use them to keep themselves sharp. You have lifetime access to any app you purchase, which includes updates we make along the way to keep our content current with industry research.
There are lots of options! Find an app that matches your needs.
If you’re reading this, you’re already in a good place because you’re seeking knowledge and improvement. Got any other great resources your fellow EMS providers should know about? Tell us in the comments below!
