I voted they should be leading research.
However, I agree at the present time, there are many barriers that have to be overcome.
The very worst thing that could happen is it could wind up like nursing research.
I guess we now know how you voted on the poll.
Since I posted it on the first page, It would seem reasonable everyone knows?:unsure:
Paramedics and Nurses are both able to do excellent research. The Paramedics in other countries do have the advantage due to higher education requirements and research being part of their program. But, that is not to say that some in the US have not published some good research
I find it strangely amusing you would pretend to lecture me on what paramedics in other countries do or don't. I would be very curious to know what countries you have participated in EMS in.
I referenced some EMS journals here for another forum member to read. Since you are posting on an EMS forum you at least should be respectful enough to see what a profession, EMS and nursing, is all about before just blasting them.
I wasn't blasting them.
I was stating a fact.
That includes the EMTs who also have something to offer even if they are not lead on a project. Research can cover a wide variety of topics and I don't think you really see the bigger picture especially as it pertains to EMS..
Really?
How about this for a big picture?
Until EMS providers in the US actually have some respectable level of education, nobody outside of a very small community affiliated with EMS is going to take their research seriously.
Having done quite a bit of research and publishing myself, I can tell you that it really sucks when you spend a lot of time and effort on things that nobody is ever going to read or is not going to change practice.
Believe it or not but doctors and nurses (and Paramedics/EMTs) work together for the benefit of the patient.
I never said they didn't. But having seen nursing around the world, I can tell you it really benefits the patients more when nurses actually perform the tasks that made nursing a highly respected profession and not see that basic care as a tech level job beneath them.
I have both taken blame for and extended considerable credit to the nurses I have worked with. Because they need to be able to do their job without worrying about getting in trouble for simple things as well as get some recognition for what they do.
My pointing out that nursing research is not respected because of its largely overt bias is not an effort to degrade anyone. But the simple truth is they are not winning hearts and minds with it. It needs to be improved. But that is for their professional leaders to worry about, not me.
As the nursing practice evolves, the more observant doctors are aware. They are also aware of the research for wound prevention/care, VAP and may other bedside practices from which they can develop their own guidelines for treatment.
I will not get into the inadequecy of wound care among nurses. It is a pet pieve of mine and a complex topic.
Nursing practice "evolves" largely in the US, with nurses more and more attempting to play doctor and less and less focusing on the core value of nurses.
It is not the same in other nations. Including developed Western ones.
They focus on nursing and they are both respected and appreciated for it. That is even with thier advanced level of education.
I do know nurses that work in EMS throughout Europe and I can say that the advanced education that nursing has established along with some prehospital skills and training, makes them outstanding prehospital providers that US EMS should emulate.
But before we start talking about performing research, US EMS first needs to overcome the obstacles it has placed for itself.
If you ever get the opportunity to work in a hospitlal even as a tech you will be able to see the dynamics between professions.
You keep saying this in many of your posts, if you are trying to insult me, it is not working.
It a doctor is clueless about what the bedside care provider is capable of, it will reflect in his or her ability to care for the patient efficiently and effectly. This is no different than the many discussions about EMTs and Paramedics who complain their medical director or the ER doctors do not know what they do.
I like to take it a bit further than the benefit of the doubt on what the mean provider of a given discipline is "supposed" to be capable of and get right into knowing what the individuals are capable of.
Strangely enough, I don't hear too many complaints from my nurses or my patients.
My work speaks for itself.
