Mobile medical emergency units in France. II

Abstract

The ideal of the French system for mobile emergency care is for a reasonable working diagnosis to be made by a doctor, preferably a fully qualified anaesthetist properly trained in 'oxyology' or emergency medicine with the assistance of properly trained paramedical staff, who can then set up correct resuscitative and therapeutic procedures at the scene of the accident or illness. Unfortunately, at the moment this is possible only in large centres. Although officially 17 years old the 'Service d'Aide Medicale Urgente' and the 'Service Mobile d'Urgence et de Reanimation' are still in their infancy. They are one answer to the problem of bringing skilled help and treatment to the site of an illness or accident but they are not the only answer. The system in France could be improved, and although some major problems are coming to light - such as the non-uniformity of the system, the role of the general practitioner, the financing of the system, and the use of medical time - it can serve as an example to others in the field. Despite the difficulties, many people already owe their lifes to this service, and the implementing of this type of scheme in other countries seems to be imperative.