NYMedic828
Forum Deputy Chief
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With the most recent "medics are basically RNs on the road" thread, this thought popped into my head.
How big of a role does your environment ultimately play in your ability to grow and further educate as a provider? Be it an ambulance, an ICU, an IFT or CCT ambulance, hospital, trauma center the list goes on.
Its no secret that we are all influenced by those in closest contact with us. But how does that play out when a new paramedic is partnered with 1 year paramedic? Or a 20 year medic who hasn't touched a book in 20 years. That new medic or EMT depends on their partner and often their partner alone to teach them the ropes.
The way I see it, from an EMS standpoint, we are at a severe disadvantage. If an EMT works with a paramedic, they stand to frequently learn something new and have it explained to them directly (hopefully). A paramedic can turn to his/her partner and co-workers but they may not know (frequently) or may provide false information to protect their so called credibility (aka pride).
Now lets change environments to an ER. Anyone from PCA to MD can immediately consult with their piers to get the answers they seek. A nurse can ask a doctor about a particular case and receive a response in great depth if she seeks it.
Granted, a paramedic or EMT can absolutely consult a doctor on the details of an assignment but it still isn't the same as being there and watching something play out and learning by seeing/doing vs doing and then being told.
I think it ultimately puts us EMS folk in a position that makes it much more difficult to better ourselves without directly seeking out information on a regular basis, outside of the workplace. Furthermore, from my experience, most agencies have minimal contact with their medical directors. This further separates us from a learning environment.
How big of a role does your environment ultimately play in your ability to grow and further educate as a provider? Be it an ambulance, an ICU, an IFT or CCT ambulance, hospital, trauma center the list goes on.
Its no secret that we are all influenced by those in closest contact with us. But how does that play out when a new paramedic is partnered with 1 year paramedic? Or a 20 year medic who hasn't touched a book in 20 years. That new medic or EMT depends on their partner and often their partner alone to teach them the ropes.
The way I see it, from an EMS standpoint, we are at a severe disadvantage. If an EMT works with a paramedic, they stand to frequently learn something new and have it explained to them directly (hopefully). A paramedic can turn to his/her partner and co-workers but they may not know (frequently) or may provide false information to protect their so called credibility (aka pride).
Now lets change environments to an ER. Anyone from PCA to MD can immediately consult with their piers to get the answers they seek. A nurse can ask a doctor about a particular case and receive a response in great depth if she seeks it.
Granted, a paramedic or EMT can absolutely consult a doctor on the details of an assignment but it still isn't the same as being there and watching something play out and learning by seeing/doing vs doing and then being told.
I think it ultimately puts us EMS folk in a position that makes it much more difficult to better ourselves without directly seeking out information on a regular basis, outside of the workplace. Furthermore, from my experience, most agencies have minimal contact with their medical directors. This further separates us from a learning environment.
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