Index
Abstract
Dedication
Preface
Definition of EMS for this Document
Federal Agencies Can Help Advance EMS Research
Executive Summary
Introduction
History of EMS Research
The Present State of EMS Research

• Appeals for Advancement
• Peer Review Journals
• Methodological Constraints and Concerns
• Current Literature in EMS
• Research Domains
  • Clinical Research
  • Systems Research
  • Education

Overcoming the Barriers to EMS Research
Summary
Appendix A: The National EMS Research Agenda Writing Team
Appendix B: Organizations Invited to Participate in the National Review Team
Appendix C: Ethical Standards and IRB Requirements
Appendix D Inclusion Of Women And Minorities In Research Study Populations Involving Human Subjects
Inclusion Of Children As Participants In Research Involving Human Subjects
Appendix E: Bibliographic List of Internet Links
Appendix F: Published EMS Randomized Clinical Trials
References

Methodological Constraints and Concerns

Although the science of EMS has advanced, many concerns remain. Most of the problems are not very different than issues with which other fields of medicine have struggled. For example, there are not enough controlled clinical trials of new treatments for patient problems encountered by EMS professionals.

One methodological concern in EMS research is that the best outcome measures for various study questions are not clear.⁵⁵ While survival may be an appropriate outcome measurement for sudden cardiac arrest, it would not be a meaningful outcome measurement for studies of minor trauma or respiratory distress because almost all patients will survive independent of any EMS intervention. Further, appropriate measurements of pediatric patient outcomes are sometimes different from those that are commonly used for adults.³³