Pre-hospital emergency care and the family physician

Advances in resuscitation and arrhythmia control that are now readily available in most hospitals have made little impact on community mortality from acute myocardial infarction and other causes of sudden unexpected death. Most deaths occur before the victim can obtain conventional medical aid, and are due to potentially correctable lethal arrhythmias. Pre-hospital emergency care systems provide the advantages of modern methods of arrhythmia control and resuscitation directly and rapidly to the victim in the community. Advanced resuscitation is medical practice, so these systems require medical supervision and control. Potential roles for family physicians in organizing pre-hospital care are described.