Involving and educating base station physicians in paramedic programs

There is often misunderstanding and conflict between the emergency physician and paramedic team, particularly as a new system is being implemented. This paper outlines a four-pronged approach to reduce this conflict: 1) community physician involvement in protocol development by means of a Paramedic Policy and Procedures Committee; 2) clinical training of paramedics in community hospitals; 3) involvement of community physicians in primary training and by riding rescue squads; and 4) formulation of a base station physician course to familiarize physicians with radio technique, system operation, and paramedic field work. An outline of the base station physician course is given and discussed. The reactions and outcome of the course and the positive changes it made in both physician and paramedic attitudes are discussed.