Yes and no. Its a general suggestion to anyone applying to med school. Its also specific for us EMS folks, a warning not to spread yourself too thin and lose sight of what is really important to med school admission committees. There are thousands of people applying to med school every year, and the initial screening is based on GPA. If your GPA isnt high enough to get your application from the secratary's desk to the admission committee, it doesnt matter what kind of EMS experience you have.
Also in my own experience as a med student and a paramedic. Your ALS skills don't matter all that much on the wards. Starting an IV and getting labs is 9pm pre-round scutwork for a med student, because the nurse didnt do it. It only makes it faster scutwork for me, because Im used to starting IVs while traveling at 60mph. On the wards, noone's going to know if you learned something in med school, or in medic school. Most of the time, I can't pinpoint where I learned a particular thing. Honestly, on most days, I forget that I was a medic.
The situation where I will admit that ALS experience is of use is during a cardiac arrest on the floor. Even though you arent going to be running to code, the resident who is, is scared stiff. A calm reminder of what to do next, or calm suggestion goes a long way, Ive noticed.
Anyway, Im just reminding you. GPA is the most important thing for you.
