The National EMS Research Strategic Plan

Abstract

One of the eight major recommendations put forth by the National EMS Research Agenda Implementation Project in 2002 was the development of an emergency medical services (EMS) research strategic plan. Using a modified Delphi technique along with a consensus conference approach, a strategic plan for EMS research was created. The plan includes recommendations for concentrating efforts by EMS researchers, policy makers, andfunding resources with the ultimate goal of improving clinical outcomes. Clinical issues targeted for additional research efforts include evaluation andtreatment of patients with asthma, acute cardiac ischemia, circulatory shock, major injury, pain, acute stroke, andtraumatic brain injury. The plan calls for developing, evaluating, andvalidating improved measurement tools andtechniques. Additional research to improve the education of EMS personnel as well as system design andoperation is also suggested. Implementation of the EMS research strategic plan will improve both the delivery of services andthe care of individuals who access the emergency medical system.

Keywords:

• cardiovascular diseases
• consensus development conferences
• emergency medical services
• emergency medical technicians
• emergency medicine
• health policy
• needs assessment
• research
• resuscitation
• United States
• wounds andinjuries