Ten Ways for Medical Students to Get Involved in Wilderness Medicine

Katrina Stevens, MS-IV, SUNY Upstate Medical University
EMRA MSC Northeast Regional Representative || 2023-2024

David Gordon, MS-III, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
EMRA MSC Northeast Regional Representative 2 || 2023-2024

David Bronstein, MS-III, George Washington University
EMRA MSC Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative || 2023-2024

Christopher Walsh, MS-IV, Sidney Kimmel Medical College
EMRA MSC Northeast Coordinator || 2023-2024

Emergency Medicine has some of the most unique career options available in medicine, from aerospace and hyperbaric medicine to wilderness medicine! In this article, we will focus on highlighting ten ways to get involved in wilderness medicine, focusing on realistic, cost-effective strategies to explore this one-of-a-kind field. If you’ve ever given wilderness medicine a thought, but didn’t know who to ask or where to look, this article is for you! From certifications to conferences to online lectures, and even student electives, we hope this comprehensive list gives you an idea of where to look to explore your interest in one of the most special aspects of Emergency Medicine!

1. Join your university’s wilderness medicine interest group. Don’t have one? Start one! (https://www.emra.org/students/emergency-medicine-interest-groups/form-lead-emig)

A great way to get started is by joining your university’s wilderness medicine interest group. Commonly local groups will host educational events featuring local physician lecturers or outdoor activities. This is a free resource with minimal time commitment to get a great introduction to the topic and meet fellow medical students with similar interests.

2. Join EMRA’s Wilderness Medicine Committee
    a. https://www.emra.org/be-involved/committees/wilderness-committee

EMRA has an excellent and highly active Wilderness Medicine Committee. The committee hosts speakers online once or twice a year that any EMRA member can attend for free. In addition, the organization hosts MedWars at ACEP each year in person. MedWars is a fun-spirited competition centering around testing your wilderness medicine knowledge while building comradery with your colleagues. The top teams each year win prizes! Reach out to the committee to find out more ways to get involved!

3. Free online lecture series (GOWME, Yale)
    a. Global Organization for Wilderness Medicine Education - https://www.gowme.org
    b. WildMed Wednesday - https://sites.google.com/view/wildmedwednesday/registration

There are two free online lecture series that feature physicians from around the country, and the world, on the various topics of wilderness medicine. Topics covered span from dive and undersea medicine to expedition medicine on Everest, aerospace, and more. These online series are an easy and convenient way to learn what wilderness medicine is and what a career may look like in the field. They offer the opportunity to learn about all the different niches of wilderness medicine or deep dive into a specific topic or technique. Click the links above to register to receive emails from the organizations for the most up-to-date schedule.

4. Student-Focused Conferences (Highlight recent / AnnualNE Region Events)
    a. Jefferson University / Mid-Atlantic Wilderness Medicine Student Conference https://www.maswmc2023.com/
    b. UConn Emergency Medicine Interest Group / 23rd Annual Wilderness Medicine Symposium
        https://sites.google.com/view/uconnemig/wilderness
        Winding Trails in Farmington, CT. It begins on Friday night with a campfire and s'mores. Our main activities begin after breakfast on Saturday. We will dive into a day of didactic sessions, skills training, and a practicum - all led by experts in the field
        wilderness medicine.

There are several student-focused conferences for wilderness medicine around the country. For example, Jefferson University hosts the biennial Midatlantic Wilderness Medicine Conference in Philadelphia, PA and UConn hosts an annual Wilderness Medicine Symposium in Framingham, CTin the Fall. The conferences are led by experts in the field, tailoring the curriculum for easy understanding and relevant material for students. There is a fee associated with the conferences but it is more affordable than larger national conferences. Conferences are a great way to get an introduction to wilderness medicine and network with individuals interested in the field.

5. Wilderness Medical Society
    a. https://wms.org/

The Wilderness Medical Society is a large community of wilderness medicine enthusiasts and experts. WMS is a primary contributor towards building standards and guidelines for the field of wilderness medicine. The organization hosts bi-annual conferences, podcasts, journal clubs, online lectures, and more. It is an excellent resource and network to join. There is a fee associated with membership, but it is reduced for students. WMS is a great opportunity to learn more about wilderness medicine and find unique opportunities within the field.

6. Certifications (FAWM, SurvivalMed, DiMM)
    a. SurvivialMed- https://survivalmedonline.org/
    b. Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine -
    c. Diploma in Mountain Medicine

If you are ready to take the next step toward making wilderness medicine a part of your career or get into the field, consider taking a certification course. SurvivalMed offers a wide range of courses designed for non-medical professionals, students, or providers. The curriculum is customized toward each level of learning to allow everyone to gain a better understanding of wilderness medicine. The Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and Diploma in Mountain Medicine are offered by the Wilderness Medical Society. These are great ways to move towards practicing in the wilderness. You can start working on these certifications as a medical student. There are fees associated with all courses.

7. Take a student elective
    a. Wilderness Medical Society BreckWild Elective - https://breckwild.org/
    b. Maine Medical Center Wilderness Medicine Elective - https://wildernessmedicineelective.com/
    c. University of Arizona Wilderness Medicine - https://emergencymed.arizona.edu/students/elective/emd-850b-wilderness-medicine
    d. West Virginia Wild Med - https://www.wvwildmed.com/
    e. Wild Med U - https://www.awls.online/

If you are a 3rd or 4th year student there are many student electives available around the country. Generally, electives will teach broad and basic information on wilderness medicine as well as outdoor survival skills and etiquette. Each elective offers different opportunities depending on geographic location and time of year offered. Some courses include a certification. There are fees associated with the courses, but there are often scholarships available or your university may contribute toward the cost. Electives are a fun way to earn credit and deepen your knowledge in the field.

8. Take a NOLS Course
    a. https://nols.edu
    b. Wilderness EMS / Wilderness First Responder (accelerated course for health professionals)

NOLS is an industry leader in teaching outdoor and leadership skills. Additionally, they offer several wilderness medicine and certification courses. NOLS courses are available around the country, each with a different focus. Courses range from immersive wilderness expeditions to classroom teaching. The goal of the organization is to create competent outdoors people and community leaders. There are fees associated with the courses, with scholarships available.

9. Join a Research Project for Wilderness Medicine

Research is another excellent way to get involved in wilderness medicine. Projects can be more difficult to identify, being a niche topic in medicine. You can look for projects at your home university, search online, or create your own project!

10. Get Outside!

The most important part of wilderness medicine is getting outside! To be an excellent wilderness medicine provider you also need to be competent in safe outdoor recreation. If you are just starting your wilderness journey, start small with a local hike: bring water and snacks, wear comfortable shoes, and let a friend know where you are going. If you are already a skilled adventurer, continue to hone your craft. Either way, get outside and enjoy yourself!