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RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE

RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE. BY DARRYL W. JACKSON D.O. Opportunities. Many opportunities for rural medicine Very few specialists (volume = specialist) ER Physicians recruited to bigger towns Many rural towns have major shortages Rural America is hungry for physicians. Compensation.

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RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE

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  1. RURAL EMERGENCY MEDICINE BY DARRYL W. JACKSON D.O.

  2. Opportunities • Many opportunities for rural medicine • Very few specialists (volume = specialist) • ER Physicians recruited to bigger towns • Many rural towns have major shortages • Rural America is hungry for physicians

  3. Compensation • Lower hourly rates for rural ER • Ability to work more hours • Hours are available because of shortages • More hours can be worked because of low volumes • Sleep while you get paid • End result is very little difference in annual salaries

  4. Family Physicians • Needed in rural areas because shortage of ER trained residents • Well equipped to handle rural ER because of wide knowledge base • Will your residency train you well enough to handle an ER? • Use your electives wisely • Moonlighting is great training

  5. Training • Electives as a student and resident • Basics: BLS, ACLS, NRP • Be prepared: ALSO, ATLS • Attend workshops and seminars, Journals • Shadow, Volunteer, Moonlight with other Physicians available to back you up • Stay up to date: READ, READ, READ, READ!......

  6. Improvise • Rural hospitals are generally poor • Infant intubated with straight-cath • Removed aluminum bottle with a ringcutter • Plastic splint for an ear with plastic cup • Using hair to repair lacs on a childs head • Use what you have don’t wish you had something else

  7. Decision Making • Use common sense • Fewer protocols set up in Rural ER • Your job most often in a true emergency is to “STABILIZE THE PATIENT”. • If you are not capable or qualified ship them out • Stabilize and transfer, Stabilize and transfer….

  8. Disadvantages • No specialists available at your side • Equipment and Pharmaceuticals very limited • Isolated some distance from larger hospitals and Trauma Centers. • Consulting resources limited so BYOB (bring your own books) • YOU THE MAN!

  9. Advantages • People are far more appreciative of the help they do receive. • Fewer non-emergent cases • People respect your time • Co-workers don’t have “That’s not my job” attitude. • Get paid to sleep • YOU THE MAN!

  10. Barriers • EMS often not available • Very expensive and small towns can not afford • Very little help from the Government for EMS • Low volume = low dollars for rural hospitals • Isolation: must rely on transfers, Mediflight, EMS • Held to the same standard with substandard situations

  11. Summary • Great opportunities in rural ER • Advantages far outweigh disadvantages • Exciting and rewarding • We need help to get past the barriers in Rural Emergency Medicine • Common sense: knowledge not protocols • Improvise

  12. Question and Answer session • Thank You!!!! • Ask any question you would like it does not have to be about this lecture.

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