Chris07
Competent in Incompetence
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There's an old saying which states "Doctors make the worst patients." This got me to thinking, can EMS providers be worse patients than doctors? Honestly ask yourself this question: "If I was to suddenly become extremely ill or injured at this very moment, would I make a good patient?"
I reckon that most would say yes, as you are most likely in a place where you are familiar with the EMS system and even those working in it.
What if you were to become injured (heaven forbid) while driving around on vacation in a place you are not familiar with?
A scenario:
You are driving in a different state and are involved in a moderate motor vehicle collision (Airbag deployment no passenger compartment intrusion, vehicle totaled). You have no pain in you neck/back, good motor and sensation in all four extremities but the crew wants to put you in full c-spine. Would you refuse or go along with it?
The key questions:
Would you be a difficult patient? Meaning, would you take your own assessment of your injuries to have more weight than the EMT/Medic tending to you? Would you refuse treatment if it doesn't coincide with how you would treat yourself? Do EMS providers make the worst patients?
I reckon that most would say yes, as you are most likely in a place where you are familiar with the EMS system and even those working in it.
What if you were to become injured (heaven forbid) while driving around on vacation in a place you are not familiar with?
A scenario:
You are driving in a different state and are involved in a moderate motor vehicle collision (Airbag deployment no passenger compartment intrusion, vehicle totaled). You have no pain in you neck/back, good motor and sensation in all four extremities but the crew wants to put you in full c-spine. Would you refuse or go along with it?
The key questions:
Would you be a difficult patient? Meaning, would you take your own assessment of your injuries to have more weight than the EMT/Medic tending to you? Would you refuse treatment if it doesn't coincide with how you would treat yourself? Do EMS providers make the worst patients?