Final answer:
The primary obstacle to implementing evidence-based research in EMS is the lack of sufficient research specific to prehospital care, complicating the decision-making process and the application of knowledge in urgent situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The biggest obstacle to evidence-based research in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is that there is too little research on which to base decisions. The issues highlighted in the provided reference material suggest that while EMS personnel, such as EMTs and paramedics, are often highly trained and work efficiently under the guidance of a medical director, the field itself may not have a substantial body of research specific to prehospital care to inform their practices. Moreover, the complexity and urgency of medical situations may compound the difficulty of applying existing knowledge effectively, as noted by Mullen and Streiner (2004). This indicates a systemic problem with research applicability in fast-paced medical settings rather than a reluctance of medical directors or EMS providers to follow research-based findings.
An additional challenge is the lack of appropriate systems in place for conducting long-term follow-up evaluations, which could further support evidence-based practices in EMS. This ultimately affects the ability to make informed, research-based decisions and to implement improvements that could increase the efficiency and effectiveness of EMS without incurring additional costs.