Within the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the challenge is to ensure not just equal, but equitable care. Let’s explore the distinction between these two concepts and why focusing on equitable outcomes is crucial for the future of healthcare.
Equal vs. Equitable Care: Understanding the Difference
Healthcare providers often focus on delivering equal interventions across communities, but this approach does not account for the differing starting points of individuals within those communities. For example, imagine a community-focused initiative to increase cardiac arrest survival rates by offering free CPR courses at a local high school. While this intervention is equal—everyone has access to the same training—it may lack equity. If these courses are conducted only in English and held in affluent neighborhoods, they unintentionally favor English-speaking, nearby residents, thus exacerbating existing disparities for non-English speakers or those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Recognizing these differences is essential. While equal care offers the same opportunities, equitable care acknowledges these starting disparities and seeks to provide solutions that accommodate individual needs and circumstances, thus ensuring everyone can cross the finish line.
Guest Perspectives on Diversity in EMS
To delve deeper, Ritu Sani from “The EMS Show” podcast highlights the significance of fostering equity in EMS. By using interactive exercises that illustrate how uncontrollable factors contribute to disparities, Ritu emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than uniform interventions. Only by addressing inherent barriers can we achieve true equity in healthcare outcomes across different demographics.
The Role of Data in Driving Equity
Measuring success shouldn’t just be about increased numbers on paper. Instead, it should focus on improving outcomes across all segments of the community. This approach involves analyzing data to identify disparities in outcomes like cardiac arrest survival or pain management and then tailoring solutions to address these specific needs.
Moving Towards an Equitable EMS System
Ritu suggests that as EMS diversifies, this could address some disparities. The idea is that a workforce reflecting the community’s diversity can enhance comfort and trust. However, systemic changes are also necessary. Only by continuously asking crucial questions about our data and seeking tailored solutions can we overcome systemic inequalities.
For those new to pursuing equity in EMS, Ritu recommends starting by examining existing research, such as the work by Jamie Kennel on healthcare disparities, and utilizing tools like electronic patient care reporting systems to analyze data through various lenses like race, gender, and socioeconomic status.
Encouraging Introspection and Action
Addressing inequity requires a dual approach of systemic evaluation and introspection. Implicit biases exist, and acknowledging them is an important step in fostering an inclusive healthcare environment. By adopting a mindset focused on patient outcomes, EMS organizations can integrate equity into their standard quality improvement practices.
As Ritu aptly puts it, we’re all on a journey toward the same goal—improved patient outcomes. Together, by recognizing the differing challenges along the way, we can work towards an EMS system that is not just equal, but truly equitable for all.
NAEMSP position statement – Achieving Equity in EMS Care and Patient Outcomes Through Quality Management Systems