Ridryder911
EMS Guru
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I read this on another EMS Forum, and found it so thought provoking for those that are in medic school and those that have "been there and done that".. Mr. Spencer is a Paramedic Instructor, that apparently hands these out to each of his students.
Oh, how I wished each EMT and Paramedic student would understand this before arriving on a clinical. This could be even applied to the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic.
Very nice points...
FROM THE DESK OF:
Jeffery J. Spencer, BS, EMT-P
****Note:I got the general framework of this position piece originally from the Kaplan Medical School Newsletter. It was designed to send a message to the future physicians of the world. When I read it, I saw many similarities to the transition many of our students make in becomming paramedics. Basically I transposed "paramedic student" in the place of "medical student" and "paramedic" in place of "physician." It is my desire that this piece "hits home" with you as much as it did with me. JJS
Tips and Trends: How Paramedic Students are Different from Paramedics
The NYS DOH BEMS and National Registry Exams are intended to certify that students have achieved the competence to be paramedics. This means that they are not testing how good a student you are, but whether or not you can leave being a student behind and step up to being the paramedic you have trained to be.
Doing well on the "end of course" exams requires leaving the perspective of the student behind and moving, mentally into the role of practicing paramedic. Memorizing medical content and protocol, as many students do, is not enough! You must be able to use, apply, and problem-solve with that content, the way great paramedics do.
Paramedics and paramedic students have different tasks. Students try to learn and demonstrate their knowledge to their authorities. Paramedics, on the other hand, are assumed to be in charge and are answerable predominently to their medical director and to a jury of their professional peers. The primary task of the student is to answer presented questions. By contrast, the primary task of the paramedic is to know the essential questions to ask and then know how to find the best possible resolution. Paramedics and paramedic students also see the world differently. Here are just a few of the ways to think about these differences:
Paramedic Student --- Paramedic
Tries to memorize EVERYTHING --- Organizes knowledge so it can be used
Knows WHAT is in the book --- Knows WHY something matters
Asks "What?" and "When?" --- Asks "HOW?" and "WHY?"
Treats ALL content knowledge as --- Stratifies content as:
equally important 1 Primary:essential to know
2 Secondary: good to know
3 Tertiary: generally not needed
Wants to have the answer --- Understand what makes an interesting question
Happy when able to say what is right --- Happy when knows the right thing to do
Sits in isolation with content to be learned ---Understands sharing of knowledge with colleagues is essential
Waits to be told what to do --- In charge of what happens
Can quote the book --- Can phrase things in their own words; can explain content to others
Often overwhelmed by the task of learning --- Glad for chance to learn
Fixated on the next test --- Fixated on getting results
Knows WHAT to do --- Knows HOW to do it
Learns what is presented --- Finds knowledge that is required
Is passive, reactive, and awaits direction --- Is active, proactive, and in charge
Which column seems to be the best description of you and your approach?
You are ready to take the "end of course" exams when you can realistically leave being a student behind and step up to acting like a paramedic. thinking like a paramedic is an essential first step to becoming one. Students that learn to truly think like a paramedic will soon discover that they are one.
_________________________________________________________________
R/r 911
Oh, how I wished each EMT and Paramedic student would understand this before arriving on a clinical. This could be even applied to the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic.
Very nice points...
FROM THE DESK OF:
Jeffery J. Spencer, BS, EMT-P
****Note:I got the general framework of this position piece originally from the Kaplan Medical School Newsletter. It was designed to send a message to the future physicians of the world. When I read it, I saw many similarities to the transition many of our students make in becomming paramedics. Basically I transposed "paramedic student" in the place of "medical student" and "paramedic" in place of "physician." It is my desire that this piece "hits home" with you as much as it did with me. JJS
Tips and Trends: How Paramedic Students are Different from Paramedics
The NYS DOH BEMS and National Registry Exams are intended to certify that students have achieved the competence to be paramedics. This means that they are not testing how good a student you are, but whether or not you can leave being a student behind and step up to being the paramedic you have trained to be.
Doing well on the "end of course" exams requires leaving the perspective of the student behind and moving, mentally into the role of practicing paramedic. Memorizing medical content and protocol, as many students do, is not enough! You must be able to use, apply, and problem-solve with that content, the way great paramedics do.
Paramedics and paramedic students have different tasks. Students try to learn and demonstrate their knowledge to their authorities. Paramedics, on the other hand, are assumed to be in charge and are answerable predominently to their medical director and to a jury of their professional peers. The primary task of the student is to answer presented questions. By contrast, the primary task of the paramedic is to know the essential questions to ask and then know how to find the best possible resolution. Paramedics and paramedic students also see the world differently. Here are just a few of the ways to think about these differences:
Paramedic Student --- Paramedic
Tries to memorize EVERYTHING --- Organizes knowledge so it can be used
Knows WHAT is in the book --- Knows WHY something matters
Asks "What?" and "When?" --- Asks "HOW?" and "WHY?"
Treats ALL content knowledge as --- Stratifies content as:
equally important 1 Primary:essential to know
2 Secondary: good to know
3 Tertiary: generally not needed
Wants to have the answer --- Understand what makes an interesting question
Happy when able to say what is right --- Happy when knows the right thing to do
Sits in isolation with content to be learned ---Understands sharing of knowledge with colleagues is essential
Waits to be told what to do --- In charge of what happens
Can quote the book --- Can phrase things in their own words; can explain content to others
Often overwhelmed by the task of learning --- Glad for chance to learn
Fixated on the next test --- Fixated on getting results
Knows WHAT to do --- Knows HOW to do it
Learns what is presented --- Finds knowledge that is required
Is passive, reactive, and awaits direction --- Is active, proactive, and in charge
Which column seems to be the best description of you and your approach?
You are ready to take the "end of course" exams when you can realistically leave being a student behind and step up to acting like a paramedic. thinking like a paramedic is an essential first step to becoming one. Students that learn to truly think like a paramedic will soon discover that they are one.
_________________________________________________________________
R/r 911
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