Educational perspectives in emergency paramedicine Interdisciplinary discourse on education, professional practice, and challenges in the field of emergency medical services

Societal developments that result in an increase in geriatric, psychosocial, and subacute (i.e. not time-critical) emergencies are changing the demands on emergency care and posing challenges to the system of emergency care and emergency medical services (EMS). The training of emergency paramedics (NotSan) lays the foundation for finding a qualified systemic response to evolving patient needs and requirements. By extending and strengthening their competencies, NotSan are to be understood as basic emergency care providers. Their training should therefore be further developed in terms of evidence-based and patient-centered care in order to increase their competency to act and to achieve demand-oriented holistic (outpatient) care. New EMS resources such as community paramedics (GNFS) and telemedical support systems offer opportunities to strengthen competencies in patient care. The guiding principles of care should be patient safety and patient centeredness. In addition to increasing the basic competencies and equipment of existing EMS resources as well as continuous training opportunities, innovative cross-sectoral and cross-professional care concepts are necessary and must be supported.

Automated summary

Societal developments have led to increased demand on emergency care and EMS systems due to geriatric, psychosocial, and non-time-critical emergencies. Proper training of emergency paramedics is essential in meeting evolving patient needs. Community paramedics and telemedical support systems offer opportunities to enhance patient care. Patient safety and patient centeredness should be guiding principles, requiring continuous training and innovative cross-sectoral care concepts.