KinderMedic: The Origin Story

After years of working 911 and HEMS, I moved my paramedic career in a new direction joining the Pediatric Transport Team based out of Toronto.  The transition meant giving up my adult certification and entering into a new training program developed and delivered by physicians and educators with specialties like Paediatric Emergency Medicine, Paediatric Critical Care, Neonatal Intensive Care and Neonatal Transport.  After the training was complete, i entered into a clinical practice that was overseen by paediatricians instead of the emergency medicine physicians traditionally used in EMS.  There was a noticeable difference.

I felt fortunate to able to learn paediatric care from paediatric specialists, and it changed my paramedic practice in many ways.   I realized how different it was from traditional paramedic education and it also had the potential to change education.  From this, KinderMedic was born with two simple objectives:  First, teach other medics what i do differently and why now that i specialized in paediatrics.  Second, to teach it in the way that I like to learn, as a paramedic.

The literature told me what I needed to teach.  A recent needs assessment identified the areas of paediatrics that are most challenging for paramedics which formed the objectives for the course.  I had control over how it was delivered; two days emphasizing group discussion, hands on skills practice and scenario based learning over traditional lecture with low student/teacher ratios. 

What makes KinderMedic different than any other training available is the people.  Each course is taught by paramedics that specialize in caring for children and who is also an experienced educator.  They will help participants adapt their existing clinical practice to the unique needs of children.  The teaching is rooted in evidence based practice and general principals of medicine meaning that it is appropriate for diverse levels of care and practice environments.  Regardless of your scope of practice or experience, KinderMedic will bolster your comfort and confidence when you are managing your next sick child!

Hope to see you soon!

Jonathan Lee