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The Value of EMS Experience when Applying to Medical School?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Lauren Pipas ,
Robert F. Audet Jr  and
Lawrence H. Brown
Lauren Pipas*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
Robert F. Audet Jr
Affiliation:
Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, Mr. Audet is now affiliated with Hudson Emergency Medical Services, Hudson, OH
Lawrence H. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, Upstate Medical University, 750 E. Adams St., Syracuse, NY 13210, USA E-mail: pipasl@upstate.edu
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Abstract

Introduction:

This study explores the value of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) experience for students applying to medical school. Methods: Surveys were sent to 67 medical schools in the eastern United States and Canada. Using a five-point Likert scale, the survey asked the respondent to rate the amount of consideration given to Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or paramedic experience when making admissions decisions (1 = very little to 5 = strong), and to describe the influence of that experience (1 = very negative to 5 = very positive).

Results:

Usable responses were received from 21 schools. The median rating for the consideration given to EMS experience was “some consideration” for both EMT and paramedic experience, with 85.7% of respondents assigning that rating or higher. The median rating for the influence of that experience was “somewhat positive” for both EMT and paramedic experience. Only 14.3% of the returned surveys rated EMS experience as “neutral”, and no respondent reported EMS experience as a “negative”.

Conclusion:

EMS experience receives at least some consideration during the admissions process at most of the responding institutions in the United States and Canada. Experiences at either the EMT or Paramedic level are viewed similarly. None of the responding institutions viewed EMS experience negatively.

Keywords

emergency medical services (EMS)emergency medical technicians (EMT)medical schoolspremedical educationschool admission criteria
Type
Brief Report
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , March 2002 , pp. 48 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2002

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