UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Anglo-American versus Franco-German Models of EMS Systems

Category: International EM

Keywords: EMS, global health, ambulance (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/18/2015 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD

There are two main models of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems

Franco-German

Doctor is brought to the patient
- Care often provided by emergency physicians
Based upon the “stay and stabilize” philosophy
- Fewer transports to the hospital
- Direct transport to inpatient wards
Utilizes more extensive advanced technology
Widely implemented in Europe
EMS as part of public health organization

Anglo-American

Patient is brought to the doctor
- Care provided by emergency medical technicians/paramedics
Based upon the “scoop and run” philosophy
- More patients transported to the hospital
- Brought to the emergency department
More likely to be found in countries with emergency medicine as a developed specialty
Widely implemented in English speaking countries globally
- However, also found in other countries such as in the Arabian Gulf
EMS as part of public safety organization

Dick WF. Anglo-American vs. Franco-German emergency medical services system. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2003 Jan-Mar;18(1):29-35; discussion 35-7.

Al-Shaqsi S. Models of International Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Systems. Oman Med J. 2010 Oct; 25(4): 320–323.