Coming to a stranger's rescue: physician involvement at the scene of an emergency.
On a Saturday evening last November, two well-known Los Angeles physicians who came to the aid of a cardiac-arrest victim in a Palm Springs hotel were arrested for interfering with an emergency medical rescue and resisting arrest. The incident triggered a shock wave that was felt throughout the California medical community and far beyond. Just what is the relationship between physicians and paramedics in such a situation? Who is authorized to take charge, and who is most qualified?
D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D002140:California; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards*; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010820:Physicians; D014481:United States