Showcase or Sell TravelInteractive DigitalJune 27, 2023
Saskatchewan Entrepreneur Uses Creativity & Technology to Aid Paramedics
A unique offering by Saskatchewan entrepreneur Chad Martinson and his company 10-8 Continuing Medical Education aims to help paramedics train virtually to better prepare them for the realities of the job. The product, ParamediSIM, is a piece of software that presents the user with randomised virtual patient scenarios meant to mimic real-world cases. But the path from concept to creation is a long and winding road. In Martinson’s case, a Creative Saskatchewan Market Travel Grant, allowed him to attend the 2022 World EMS Expo in Orlando, Florida.
The trip, alongside his partner Andrea Demaere, allowed Martinson facetime with anyone and everyone who has influence in his target market: those training current and future paramedics. The software’s main selling point is that it is more accessible (and less costly) than more typical training tools like tech-infused mannequins, allowing educators and students to practice their skills from home.
As part of the five-day event, Martinson was able to identify the need for the software to integrate an additional type of monitor used by many industry professionals. He says this led to additional commercial interest that wouldn’t have been possible had he not been able to go to the expo.
“Approximately half of our booth’s attendees use the Zoll X Series monitor at their place of employment and expressed a need to train using the same patient monitor. Since we were already at the conference, I was able to speak face to face with the representatives from Zoll….Zoll was very interested in having their patient monitor featured as an option in ParamediSIM and agreed to mail me a demo model…. If we had not attended this expo, I would never have learned of the need for an additional patient monitor within ParamediSIM and I would certainly never have had the opportunity to speak directly with the appropriate Zoll representatives regarding my needs.”
While at the conference, Martinson was able to reach a deal to provide his software to an American fire department that will use the tool to train more than 100 firefighter-paramedics. There are also plans in the works to have the Saskatchewan Polytechnic paramedic program trial the software.
Martinson’s trip to the World EMS Expo also came with some hardware. ParamediSIM earned an EMS World Innovation award, with one judge likening it’s aesthetic to that of an MTV-esque music video. The project is now in early access, with interested customers able to purchase the software—which runs on both Windows and Mac— for $70 Canadian.
The conversations had at the Expo seem to be paying off, with Martinson hopeful that he can attend in 2023 to solidify and expand on hard-earned relationships.
“We interacted with paramedics, administrators, and EMS educators from around the world and developed contacts at several colleges and universities in the United States and South America that provide paramedic education. The individuals representing these institutions were very interested in ParamediSIM and we are continuing to communicate with them with the intent of integrating our software into their paramedic student curriculum.”
While creativity and paramedic education may not seem synonymous, it’s clear that ParamediSim is bridging that gap, allowing technological innovation, artistry, medical education, and lifesaving care to be combined.
By John Loeppky
As ParamediSim progresses from early access to a tool used in every paramedic’s training protocol (one can dream) you can follow along via 10-8 CME’s website. You can also purchase the tool, access a free trial, or choose to follow the company’s socials on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.