As I sit today with my newfound freedom of free time, I read through some of the threads that ordinarily I would not glance at in the interest of time.
However, I have noticed another common theme forming in a couple of them.
Let us call it: "contempt of EMT"
Not to be confused with "contempt of cop" which is a very serious issue that plagues law enforcement.
Because EMS in sometimes associated as a public safety service (which it really isn't, but that is a different post) I can see where wearing a uniform and having protected status in society can cause providers to see themselves as an authority figure.
In my observation it is a distinct shift in culture from the pre Sept 11 days when most public safety forces I was involved with (fire based EMS) saw themselves more as servants than authorities.
Whether it is psych patients, smoking patients, or patients some see as "system abusers," what is it that triggers the attitude of "I will help you whether you like it or not and I will do it my way, when I feel you deserve it."
When the patient doesn't readilt submit and cooperate, responses from apathy to "mechanical" (thanks firetender for this term) care, to punitive "treatment ensues.
I will even admit that in my time I have taken part in this as well.
So what causes it?
What do we do about it?
Is it a problem of the system?
An individual problem or providers?
How should we respond to it?
What can we do to avoid it?
Perhaps some of our Law enforcement collegues could give us considerable insight as well as solutions?
However, I have noticed another common theme forming in a couple of them.
Let us call it: "contempt of EMT"
Not to be confused with "contempt of cop" which is a very serious issue that plagues law enforcement.
Because EMS in sometimes associated as a public safety service (which it really isn't, but that is a different post) I can see where wearing a uniform and having protected status in society can cause providers to see themselves as an authority figure.
In my observation it is a distinct shift in culture from the pre Sept 11 days when most public safety forces I was involved with (fire based EMS) saw themselves more as servants than authorities.
Whether it is psych patients, smoking patients, or patients some see as "system abusers," what is it that triggers the attitude of "I will help you whether you like it or not and I will do it my way, when I feel you deserve it."
When the patient doesn't readilt submit and cooperate, responses from apathy to "mechanical" (thanks firetender for this term) care, to punitive "treatment ensues.
I will even admit that in my time I have taken part in this as well.
So what causes it?
What do we do about it?
Is it a problem of the system?
An individual problem or providers?
How should we respond to it?
What can we do to avoid it?
Perhaps some of our Law enforcement collegues could give us considerable insight as well as solutions?