Ridryder911
EMS Guru
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I have to admit there are some times that I do not care for "certain" patients to grab, touch, or hug me. It is not the "personal" or even having feelings of apathy, rather some of the patients are not the best in " hygiene" and being clean. I know that sounds very egotistical and definitely non-Christian like, but again it is not the person rather ,I have had B.O. smell, perfume smells left on my uniform for my duration of my shift or until I can change.
With that saying, I am seeing more and more medics entering the field that have no desire to touch the patient except in the care. I do find this odd since we are supposed to be the first medical care. This is where the debate begins.... does providing medical care require and encompass compassion and just how much does that encounter?
Ironically, in nursing I believe it is naturally assumed that touching, intimate closeness other than the brief touch of procedure(s) is part of the job. I do find it ironic, many of these "non-touchy" medics are considering going into the nursing profession. When addressed they still remark, they do not feel comfortable touching or being touched. I do not believe they understand that the main emphasis of nursing is the "human touch". That it is usually the difference between physician and other medical care. That skills and texts places emphasis on touching the patient, be it in stroking the hair, washing the face or holding the hand of a patient. In fact this is one of the concerns that nurses have of "increased work load", that does not allow them to give the humanistic care needed while being ill and increasing psyche needed for resistance.
Yes, it has been proven several times that "human touch" definitely has benefits in decreasing stress, increasing antibodies, resistance, and improving out come. Many are familiar with scientific studies performed several years ago, involving neonates where there was non-touched versus those that received stroking and touching. The results was over-whelming in those that received "touch" in comparison of that did not.
Maybe, part of our curriculum should have to be increased "touching" on skills, or as I have emphasized screening of applicants on admission to any EMS program describing that part of requirements is "touching people". This is shameful, but does need to be addressed.
I believe we are addressing a hidden problem that EMS applauds to ignore. Again, until we attempt to screen applicants based upon multiple points we will continue to have this increasing problem.
R/r 911
With that saying, I am seeing more and more medics entering the field that have no desire to touch the patient except in the care. I do find this odd since we are supposed to be the first medical care. This is where the debate begins.... does providing medical care require and encompass compassion and just how much does that encounter?
Ironically, in nursing I believe it is naturally assumed that touching, intimate closeness other than the brief touch of procedure(s) is part of the job. I do find it ironic, many of these "non-touchy" medics are considering going into the nursing profession. When addressed they still remark, they do not feel comfortable touching or being touched. I do not believe they understand that the main emphasis of nursing is the "human touch". That it is usually the difference between physician and other medical care. That skills and texts places emphasis on touching the patient, be it in stroking the hair, washing the face or holding the hand of a patient. In fact this is one of the concerns that nurses have of "increased work load", that does not allow them to give the humanistic care needed while being ill and increasing psyche needed for resistance.
Yes, it has been proven several times that "human touch" definitely has benefits in decreasing stress, increasing antibodies, resistance, and improving out come. Many are familiar with scientific studies performed several years ago, involving neonates where there was non-touched versus those that received stroking and touching. The results was over-whelming in those that received "touch" in comparison of that did not.
Maybe, part of our curriculum should have to be increased "touching" on skills, or as I have emphasized screening of applicants on admission to any EMS program describing that part of requirements is "touching people". This is shameful, but does need to be addressed.
I believe we are addressing a hidden problem that EMS applauds to ignore. Again, until we attempt to screen applicants based upon multiple points we will continue to have this increasing problem.
R/r 911
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