Angst ['an(k)st/]
A feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity <i.e., “ems transition angst”>

As the surveys start to come in I find myself going to my favorite section of the survey: the comment section.  While numbers tell us a data breakdown, the comments tell our story.  And the story that is beginning to appear is one that has angst; an understandable part of any change story, written all over it.  “How far will I have to drive?” “How many hours will this take?” “If they are going to do that, they need the same training I had!” “They don’t understand how hard it is out here.” All comments that have appeared in one form or another.

I believe that in order to process change appropriately, we need to get a feeling for our own internal angst and come to understand its value.   The survey tool is designed to bring out these concerns.  The course development process is designed to account for them and define the course tools that address them.  The value of angst is that it helps bring clarity to what we need to do.

The most important thing that Kansas EMS can do at this point in time is to participate in the curriculum development process. By giving feedback, by assessing where you are at personally, by staying engaged in the process of change, all of us can succeed in completing the transition to a new story of practice.

We are, after all, Kansas EMS.