Advocacy for Emergency Medical Services for Children: Education, Practice, and Policy Implications

Advocacy for maintaining and expanding Emergency Medical Services for Children is needed on many fronts. Pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians are uniquely qualified to serve this role due to their expertise in the acute care of sick or injured pediatric patients. Given this, in addition to maintaining the highest standards in the emergency departments in which they work, PEM physicians also have responsibilities in the education, training, and practice of emergency medical services providers in their region. These providers are also well positioned to advocate for Emergency Medical Services for Children on a policy level at local, regional, and state governments and in organizations that deal with the care of children in both the prehospital and hospital arenas. Greater engagement by PEM physicians in such activities is required to optimize pediatric care across the spectrum of emergency services.