The role of the pediatrician in rural emergency medical services for children.

In rural America, pediatricians can play a key role in the development, implementation, and ongoing supervision of emergency medical services for children. Pediatricians may represent the only source of pediatric expertise for a large region and are a vital resource for rural physicians (eg, general and family medicine, emergency medicine), other rural health care professionals (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, emergency medical technicians), and local emergency medical services medical directors. They can provide education about management and prevention of pediatric illness and injury; appropriate equipment for the acutely ill or injured child; and acute, chronic, and rehabilitative care. In addition to providing clinical expertise, the pediatrician may be involved in quality assurance, clinical protocol development, and advocacy and may serve as a liaison between emergency medical services and other entities working with children (eg, school nurses, child care centers, athletic programs, and programs for children with special health care needs).