Why is EMS basically an unknown service in the USA? Because we never get to talk about our calls. We never get to draw any positive attention. We never get to show the blood and guts. You always see cops and fire fighters for lack of better term bragging about what they just did. The public sees and hears them but they never hear from USA EMS people about our work. They only see the bad headlines or the call 911 in emergency statements. If we can not talk about whats done to actual patients no wonder the public disrespects us by calling us ambulance drivers. Honestly I wish we could tell them about some of the things we are required to do and even include real footage. The public would soon realize that we do a whole lot more than provide free rides to the hospital.
So I refuse to judge this EMT for taking a moment to bragg and be a hero for attempting to save a life.
I am sure alot of healthcare professionals, including MDs, feel that way. However there is that little word "professional". Most went into the healthcare profession to provide healthcare and not grandstand every chance they get. They get their point across by promotional ads from their national organizations. They don't invade their patients' right to privacy. You see patients at their most vulnerable times and to violate that trust is unspeakable.
Every time I drove past the ENQUIRER building in South Florida I used to think about all the stories I could have sold them while working as both an RRT and Paramedic. I had access to all to good information. I knew many on the who's who list that had HIV, face lifts, MVC injuries and suicidal tendencies. But, I did not go into either of those professions to become a celebrity myself.
I would guess many on this forum do not know what an RRT, RN, OT, SLP, PT or any of the many licensed medical professionals really do in healthcare. These professions are not glamorous enough to have TV shows like Third Watch (or the many other shows) about them. These professionals did not get their jobs to appear on the 10 O'Clock news. Their reward is to have their patients progress and success in making a good recovery. Watching a stoke patient eat and walk for the first time can be pretty amazing also as can decannulating a quadriplegic from trach and ventilator dependency to give them more freedom. Getting the patient to the hospital is just one step, although very essential, in what the future holds for that patient.
There are also thousands of LEOs and FFs that don't mug for the cameras. They just happen to be left at scene with impressive equipment and in public view which makes for pretty pictures. The ambulance usually leaves the scene quickly because their concern should be for the patient and not whether the media got their best side in the photograph as they were working on a cool trauma with blood and guts.
And no, the public doesn't always see bad headlines about EMS. Watch the newswire on some of the EMS sites and you will see many, many good news articles. However, people tend to read the articles and news stories that interest them. If they do read an article about a tragic accident, their thoughts and prayers will probably go to those that are suffering and have lost their loved ones...not to the ones that just want their picture in the paper to show "what we do or what a hero I am".
