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Wilderness Medicine. “ The mountains are calling and I must go . ” –John Muir. Overview. What is wilderness medicine? How did i t b egin? What does i t e ncompass? Why should I participate? How do I become i nvolved? Can I complete a fellowship?. What Is It?.
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Wilderness Medicine “The mountains are calling and I must go.” –John Muir
Overview • What is wilderness medicine? • How did it begin? • What does it encompass? • Why should I participate? • How do I become involved? • Can I complete a fellowship?
What Is It? • Wilderness: “a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings”(1) • Medical care in a non-medical setting • Requires broad knowledge • Encourages adaptation and creativity
How Did It Begin? • The earliest human medicine was wilderness medicine. (2) • In the mid-1970s physicians and guides started meeting to discuss “Mountain Medicine” topics. • The Wilderness Medical Society was formed in 1983. (3) • In 1990 the first edition of Wilderness & Environmental Medicine was published. • Wilderness medicine interest has grown every year. • Wilderness medicine has expanded to sub-specialty areas.
What Does It Encompass? Includes aspects of (4): • Mountain Medicine • Disaster Medicine • Marine Medicine • Tactical Medicine • Tropical Medicine • International Travel • Search and Rescue
Wilderness Medicine Topics • Altitude Disorders • Cold injuries & hypothermia • Emergency airways • Evacuation techniques • Dive medicine • Lighting injuries • Wilderness trauma • Envenomation • Field dentistry • Survival physiology • Plant toxins and dermatitis
Why Should I Participate? • To become a well-rounded physician • To get a broader perspective of medicine • To contribute to an emerging field of medicine • To “Combine your profession with your passion”™(WMS)
How Do I Become Involved? • Join wilderness medicine organizations • Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) • ACEP, SAEM, EMRA Wilderness Medicine Sections • Student Interest Groups • Wilderness Electives • Residency Specialty Track • Local Outdoor Groups • Research
Training Opportunities • Wilderness Medicine Conferences • Advanced Wilderness Life Support • Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS • Wilderness Medical Associates • Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM)
Can I Complete a Fellowship? Formal Post-residency Fellowships Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine™ or FAWM Provided through WMS All medical professionals 100 credits over 5 years Core curriculum Experience credits May begin as a resident • Massachusetts General • Stanford • University of Utah • Denver Health • USCF-Fresno • SUNY Upstate • University of New Mexico • Medical College of Georgia • Madigan Healthcare System • Tufts University-Baystate
Conclusion • Wilderness Medicine is a broad field offering countless exciting opportunities. • There are multiple ways to get involved. • Wilderness medicine training helps all physicians. • Get out there and have fun.
References • 1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Definition of Wilderness. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wilderness. Accessed July 24, 2012. • 2. Auerbach, PS. Wilderness Medicine, 6th ed. Forward & Preface. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1678-8..00125-2&isbn=978-1-4377-1678-8&uniqId=347118921-2#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1678-8..00125-2. Accessed July 24, 2012. • 3. Barry, J and Erb, B. Wilderness Medical Society. Our History. http://wms.org/about/history.asp. Accessed July 24, 2012. • 4. Auerbach, PS. Wilderness Medicine, 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1678-8..C2009-0-39724-X--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-1678-8&about=true&uniqId=347118921-2. Accessed Jul 24, 2012. • 5. Wilderness Medical Society. “Combine your profession with your passion”™. http://www.wms.org. Accessed July 24, 2012.