AMA Journal of Ethics

The July 2025 Issue of the #AMAJournalofEthics – Rural US Emergency Medical Services – is live! This theme issue explores rural EMS as a source of questions neglected in health care ethics, policy, and equity discussions: spr.ly/60194jq8l

Assessing and adequately documenting a patient’s decision-making capacity is a responsibility and skill required of all EMS personnel, writes Casey Patrick, MD: spr.ly/6017449th

Ethics and science inform EMT’s and paramedic’s decisions to initiate, continue, or terminate resuscitation. Read this commentary on a case by Christopher Libby, MD, MPH and Scott H. Pasichow, MD, MPH: spr.ly/6015449sV

Read our extensive library of peer-reviewed articles: spr.ly/6012fKlp8

Author interview: Dr Molly Nguyen joins #EthicsTalk to discuss the July 2025 issue of the Journal, “Rural US Emergency Medical Services”: spr.ly/6015449qP

Despite their essential functions, rural EMS systems are often underfunded and understaffed to the point at which health equity is severely compromised. Read this Letter from the Editors, Molly Nguyen, MD and Tanya Shenoy, MD: spr.ly/6019449oS

Representative Eric Emery joins #EthicsTalk to discuss how rural EMS workers manage time as a critical resource and how legislative policy can help direct resources toward improving rural EMS service: spr.ly/6016449ms

Situational awareness means that good care might not only be about the patient. Read this personal narrative from David M Sine, DBioethics: spr.ly/6010449Yg

Dr Siân Lewis-Bevan joins #EthicsTalk to discuss her article, coauthored with Dr Stephen Powell, “What Might the Past Suggest About Rural Emergency Services Amidst Critical Access Hospitals’ Decline?”: spr.ly/6017449i9

Recent rural hospital closures influence clinical and ethical dimensions of emergency care, write Siân Lewis-Bevan, MD, MPH, EMT-B and Stephen Powell, MD: spr.ly/6012449gq

Cultural humility, cost-effectiveness, equity, and tribal sovereignty are key to improving EMS responsiveness in AI/NA rural communities. Read more in this article by Chelsea Tsasse and John Shufeldt, MD, JD, MBA: spr.ly/60144495G

How does private equity investment undermine rural health equity and create instability in health care markets? Find out in this article from @JournalofEthics. amaedhub.org/3UkrEcA

How should the quality of health care services from providers backed by private equity be assessed? Find out with this article from @JournalofEthics. amaedhub.org/40uMVE5

Thx @UFCAM -sharing @UNMC_IAE @JournalofEthics

This article from @JournalofEthics argues that nonprofit hospitals' adoption of private equity acquisition and closure practices sacrifices their missions, prioritizes profit and works to the detriment of local communities. Learn more. amaedhub.org/4502JQC

Discover how and when patients should be informed about the sale of a clinical practice to a private equity buyer in this article from @JournalofEthics. amaedhub.org/45jIXkk

How should physicians stop private equity firms from exploiting public health insurance? Find out with @JournalofEthics. amaedhub.org/44YTYGk

James Small joins #EthicsTalk to discuss his article, “How Should Rural EMS Funding Streams Be Improved?”: spr.ly/6010449dQ

EMS responses are critical functions of local governments, yet, in rural areas, many are staffed by licensed volunteers, writes James Small MJA, CPM: spr.ly/6018449jQ

Barriers to maintaining emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas include personnel shortages, long travel times, and austere settings. Read the full article by Sophia Görgens, MD: spr.ly/6019449wz

Emergency medical services (EMS) care in rural areas of the United States has suffered from being chronically under-resourced and understaffed, writes Michael Levy, MD: spr.ly/6017449kX