Ensihoitolääkäri

Ensihoitolääkäri, a Finnish term translating to "emergency physician" or "pre-hospital physician," refers to a medical doctor who provides advanced medical care in the pre-hospital setting. These physicians are part of the emergency medical services (EMS) system and are dispatched to critical incidents and medical emergencies where advanced life support is required. Their role is crucial in stabilizing critically ill or injured patients before they reach the hospital.

The primary responsibility of an ensihoitolääkäri is to assess and manage life-threatening conditions, often in challenging environments. This includes performing advanced procedures such as intubation, administering advanced medications, performing chest compressions, defibrillation, and surgical interventions like needle thoracostomy or cricothyroidotomy. They possess a higher level of medical expertise and equipment compared to standard paramedics, allowing them to treat a wider range of conditions at the scene.

Ensihoitolääkäri services are typically dispatched for severe trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke, respiratory failure, and other critically ill patients. The physician works as part of an advanced medical team, often alongside highly trained paramedics. Their presence at the scene can significantly improve patient outcomes by initiating definitive care earlier and making critical treatment decisions in real-time. The implementation of ensihoitolääkäri services varies across different regions of Finland, with some areas having dedicated physician-staffed medical helicopters or ambulances.