Attitude adjustment

Kaisu,
First, let me say that I am as aware of abuse as you profess to be. Second, you will put yourself in danger if you start out by assuming your patients are victims instead of abusers. The pt. described in the initial scenario was violent and abusive. Many of them are and most of those are skilled in how to look harmless.

Yes compassion is wonderful, and I practice it often. I am also uniquely aware that this person for whom I fell compassion has the potential to turn on me like a snake.

We are taught that our first duty is to protect ourselves. We must remain safe. Patient care, patient comfort, patient warm fuzzy feel good niceities are secondary to our own personal safety and the safety of our co-workers. This doesn't need to make us cold, heartless meanies. It just keeps us alive and unhurt.
 
I don't assume they are victims and I am always very careful to keep myself safe. I was objecting to the initial post - where the man was of no danger to anyone because he was tied down to a back board. I guess everyone has their hot button issues and this is mine. I have never stated that it is ok to risk my personal safety or the safety of my partners.

PS.. if you knew as much about abuse as I so than you would know that doubting a survivor's story is pretty much the most painful thing you can do to them.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Kaisu ,

As a student you need to keep an open mind to what we're trying to tell you . The learning process never stops and there's a wealth of knowledge in the vetrans that post here . You should be like a sponge and soak up as much as you can . You can learn a lot here , but only with an open mind . Look on the vets as big brothers and sisters . They've got your best interests in mind and they're trying to keep you from learning from the school of hard knocks like many of us have . I no longer work the field full time due to a disability , but I've learned a lot along the way as the others have . Let us help you come up . As for your last post , NEVER assume a pt. in c - spine , handcuffs , or restraints is no longer a threat . Remember my last post . My partner and I made that mistake and we both got hurt . We were lucky . My partner had a knee injury and pretty much full body bruising , I caught 1 left - handed punch that knocked me the lenght of the bench seat and nearly knocked me out . The pt. was still partially on the board . Believe me , the first time you see a pt. break 4 point leathers it'll get your attention . Recently a 15 yr. old grabbed a cop by the crotch while handcuffed and injured him . Of course , all the media saw was the cop bouncing the guy off the trunk of his cruiser to get him to let go . The cop was portrayed as the bad guy . Who really was ?
 
Kaisu said:
I don't assume they are victims and I am always very careful to keep myself safe. I was objecting to the initial post - where the man was of no danger to anyone because he was tied down to a back board. I guess everyone has their hot button issues and this is mine. I have never stated that it is ok to risk my personal safety or the safety of my partners.

PS.. if you knew as much about abuse as I so than you would know that doubting a survivor's story is pretty much the most painful thing you can do to them.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry.. did I do that? Don't believe I did! Wow.. really is a hot button issue for you isn't it!
 
signadmin1.gif


Play nice everyone
 
wow.... had to bring the sheriff out. :rolleyes:
 
i am a surviver of abuse and i agree that some pts need a little attention getter sometimes. some a little more than others.
 
Abuse happens in lots of different forms, and I'm not here to judge or evaluate forms of abuse. A "survivor" needs to make sure that they can leave emotional baggage outside of the truck, to ensure that they are always acting in the best interest of the patient at all times. I've heard of counselors and therapists that are actually in need of therapy themselves, and are not emotionally stable enough to properly provide services to others. Some actually do it as a form of therapy for themselves. Just make sure that personal can be separated from professional. That's my two cents. B)
 
I agree that personal and professional have to be separated, at least while the patient is on board.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top