The Difference between Remote and Wilderness Medical Training
Since 2003, Remote Medical International has been providing medical training to students with diverse backgrounds such as expeditionary guides, mountaineers, humanitarian workers, military special forces, and more. One of the most common questions we receive about our medical training courses is, “What is the difference between Remote and Wilderness medical training?” We’re here to clear up the confusion and compare the two.
Wilderness Medicine
Wilderness medicine is not just for those working outdoors or in the backcountry. It helps students prepare for the unexpected and utilize the tools they currently have available. It is utilized when ill and injured patients do not have easy access (an hour or more) or transportation to a definitive care site, such as a hospital or a clinic. The idea here is that they need to be assessed and treated immediately in the field and eventually evacuated.
Remote Medicine
Remote medical training is based on the idea of bringing as much definitive care to a remote area as possible, so that the ill or injured patient doesn’t have to be evacuated and can be treated in place and general operations can continue. This can be achieved by increasing the capability of a provider through training, having access to the right medical equipment, or using technology such as telemedicine to access appropriate medical oversight. As a result, our remote medical courses focus more on those scenarios for professionals working in remote and challenging environments and provide training on additional resources and technology such as telemedicine, how to use medical kits, and implement medical protocol under supervision.
Should I Learn Wilderness or Remote Medicine, Even If I’m Not Going Into the Wilderness or Working in a Remote Location?
Absolutely. Even if you are in the city, things like natural disasters or even traffic accidents can make it difficult to get to a doctor or for an ambulance to arrive. Additionally, remote medical training integrates seamlessly with the ever-advancing medical capabilities of a variety of industries. Having even basic understanding allow you to better care for your family, friends, and colleagues wherever you go.
What Wilderness Medicine Courses Do You Teach?
We teach a wide range of public and private medical courses with a wilderness focus. Learn more about our standard courses by clicking on the links below:
- Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
- Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
- Hybrid Wilderness First Responder (H-WFR) with EMR
- Wilderness First Responder Recertification (WFC)
What Remote Medicine Courses Do You Teach?
We teach a wide range of public and private medical courses with a remote focus. Learn more about our standard courses by clicking on the links below:
