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Event Review

Top Presentations and Exhibit Hall Education at EMS Expo 2010 #EMSExpo

The two top components of any conference are the exhibit hall and the education presentations. At EMS Expo the presentations were divided into multiple tracks including ALS, BLS, education, administration/management, and a general audience track. A lot of the big names in EMS – Steve Berry, Ken Bouvier, Heather Davis, Ray Fowler, Baxter Larmon, David Page, Mike Smith, Mike Touchstone, and Paul Pepe – presented sessions to packed rooms. This year’s EMS Expo also featured some emerging EMS presenters that are sure to become fixtures on the EMS conference circuit for years to come.

Emerging EMS Stars

Kyle Bates delivered two presentations on Friday in the education track. Kyle and I have presented together many times on topics related to teaching with technology and effective use of instructional media. While I was unable to attend Kyle’s session I am sure participants were given useful information and actionable ideas for improving their use of visual case studies. I am also confident they probably saw the best PowerPoint presentations of the show. Kyle has a great eye for design and a clear understanding of how to select the best visual elements for the points he is teaching. Were you at Kyle’s presentations? Share your impressions in the comments.

I was fortunate to attend Steve Whitehead’s presentation, the Art of Building Patient Rapport. Within minutes Steve had captured the attention of the audience with outstanding storytelling that appealed to both the emotional and technical aspects of providing patient care. Steve is a talented speaker and had the audience engaged in the topic. Steve’s presentation reminded me that so often my highest highs and lowest lows with patients were dependent on how well I was able to connect with the patient in a meaningful way that went beyond simple assessment and treatment.

Presentations in the Exhibit Hall

The presentation of education topics continues to increase in the exhibit hall. Physio-Control, Zoll, BoundTree, and HSI all offered formal education opportunities in the exhibit hall. Their booths were configured with classroom style seating and video displays for presenter slides. Topics ranged from patient assessment and care techniques to 12 lead interpretations to EMS applications for sonography to social media monitoring.

Informal education is an obvious component in many vendor booths. Knowing what a product is for and how best to use the product helps EMS professionals make purchasing decisions with limited resources. I am hopeful that with the increasing attention being paid to the safety and wellness of EMS professionals that vendor related education might expand to not just how to use a product, but how to use it safely. For example, a patient cot education could also highlight important safe lifting techniques. I also think topics on physical fitness, eating well, stress management, and life-work balance could make a lasting impact in short sessions.

Your Impressions

Please share your top presentation picks from EMS Expo? Which presenters nailed it and should be on everyone’s must see list?

By Greg Friese

Greg Friese, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is an author, educator, paramedic, and marathon runner.

Greg was the co-host of the award winning EMSEduCast podcast, the only podcast by and for EMS educators. Greg has written for EMS1.com, JEMS.com, Wilderness Medical Associates, JEMS Magazine, EMSWorld.com and EMS World Magazine, and the NAEMSE Educator Newsletter.