International EMT training

[chopsuey]

Hey, everyone... i was wondering if anyone has any information on obtaining EMT training (and/or certification...though i'd settle for just training) while abroad. I'm going to be spending the next year studying emergency medical systems around the world (i got a grant...i can provide details to those interested later) and was interested in getting EMT training so that I can have a better background when researching. Now, I could train in the US, but the grant pays for it only if I do it while abroad, so I thought I would try that. I speak French and so could train in French or in English. Ideally, I'd like to train in Switzerland (that's where I was planning on going first), but could also do it in New Zealand. I was planning on going to Hong Kong, but that's up in the air now with SARS, so I'd rather not plan to train there, though it would be something to consider in case I do end up still going there. Does anyone have any insight?

in addition, (this may be a long shot) if anyone knows any potential contacts in the field of emergency medicine or international emergency medicine in switzerland, brazil, new zealand or hong kong, I'd love to get a PM from you with any information. Now that I have this grant, I'm trying to get as many contacts as possible in the countries I'm visiting so that I can get as much as possible out of my research!

Thanks!

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[md_student10021]

what do you plan on doing after your training?

Licensure/certification is a state responsibility (CA, NY, etc). Training abroad won't provide the proper background for practice in the U.S.

The EMS systems overseas are not run the same as in the US. Certain places have a doctor or nurse in the back (w/patient), with a full-time ambulance "driver." (I'm not sure where though).

If you are able to train abroad, and get licensed overseas, then you might be able to get some sort of reciprocity in the U.S. I suspect getting a license in a foreign country isn't exactly easy though, and is probably not worth the trouble.

I highly doubt the training is needed if you are only going to study various systems overseas though. Maybe someone can comment on this.

have fun in Europe!

 

[DOit]

In Brazil, emergency medical services are provided by physicians- not EMT-B or paramedics. Feel free to PM if you have any questions about Brazil.

 

[chopsuey]

i don't necessarily want to practice as an EMT in the U.S. (though it's an option for future years)....basically, i'm just kind of looking to get a little more preparation in terms of understanding the systems, and i was thinking that actually getting EMT training might be a good way to both help me be more credible and get a good grasp of the jobs of the EMS (or the equivalent service) in a country. i knew Brazil doesn't put EMTs on ambulances, which is not only one reason why I chose to go there, but also one reason I didn't suggest getting trained there 🙂.

...basically, i want to get as close as possible to different parts of the system...from observing treatment in the emergency departments to trying to get on ambulances (this is going to be the hard part i think...anyone have insight on this?)... i've done my research on the systems of emergency medicine in these places, but i still haven't gotten a sense of how receptive they might be to having me shadow on an ambulance (legal stuff, etc). I'm hoping the EMT training might make them a little more agreeable to the idea. If I have to, I'll just interview EMTs or the physicians who are on ambulances, but I am going to try my hardest to actually make first hand observations.

 

[SweetMD]

Hi!

How interesting! I think that it's a really good idea to get practical experience as a background for your research!
What I would do if I were you;
1) Contact a couple of EMT/Paramedic Schools/Programs in the US, in the area where you live. Maybe they already have contacts abroad somewhere. Also I would ask for some kind of shadowing there first! As far as I know that's free (for example at the local fire department!), and if this is a US grant and you are American and a student (?) you won't have any problems.
2) then I would contact the Red Cross for your shadowing or further experiences abroad! They are also the ones responsible for most of the EMT training in countries in Western Europe (and elsewhere). I would start in Great Britain, French Switzerland, and France since those are the languages you speak.

Why don't you send me a pm? I would be intersted to keep in touch!
Good luck!