EMS Medical Director

Abstract

The modern emergency medical services (EMS) system in the United States has been under development for the past 50 years. As medicine and patients have become more complex, the need has increased for physicians to serve as medical directors of EMS systems. The EMS medical director may serve in a variety of roles for ground services, critical care transport services, educational programs, or special operations. Regardless of the agency, the medical director’s role is generally focused on credentialing, education, and quality improvement. In some programs, medical directors respond directly to the field to provide care or supervision. There are many different pathways for physicians to get involved as EMS medical directors, including formal coursework and informal agreements with local agencies. Being an EMS medical director requires a commitment to understanding the prehospital environment and providing oversight for EMS providers to best serve their communities.