While the range of problems faced by rural emergency medical services (EMS) has been well documented, little is known about the quality and availability of rural emergency services at the national level. A baseline picture of rural EMS on a national level is necessary to evaluate how recent public policy and industry changes will affect the provision of EMS to rural populations. This study will provide information and policy recommendations on the medical direction for rural EMS, programs and initiatives by state EMS agencies that target rural and volunteer EMS providers, integration initiatives by rural EMS and anticipated effects of the new Medicare fee schedule for rural EMS.

Publications

• Access to Emergency Medical Services in Rural Areas: The Supporting Role of State EMS Agencies
  University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 02/2002
  This paper reports on a survey of state emergency medical services (EMS) directors about access to rural EMS; programs/initiatives by state EMS agencies to target rural/volunteer EMS providers; integration initiatives by rural EMS providers; issues in medical direction for rural EMS; and anticipated effects of the new Medicare fee schedule.