Because you have to start somewhere and it's nice to learn some of the most important ones first. Most of the 1800 meds in the field guide are not really that common/important and don't need to be memorized. If someone is trying to be proactive and memorize some important meds before they get out into the field, they are easily overwhelmed by looking at the 1800 (or however many) and don't know where to start. A field guide is primarily a reference and not so much a learning tool.
While I appreciate you taking the time to answer for him, even after he had already answered my non sarcastic, non condescending question, I now have several points to bring up since you mentioned them.
First, I was trying to teach him that there is no "short list of common meds", there is no short list of absolutely need to know prescription meds.
While I said I appreciate and respect what he is doing, at his current level it is quite the undertaking and uneccessary when it has been done for him. A reference guide is exactly what you need at this level to get familiar with all the different names and possible varied treatments by one drug. Just because someone is on a particular drug, does not mean that they are being treated for one particular condition. It could be something else entirely.
This statement alone reinforces why history gathering is so gosh darn important. Knowing how to ascertain a thorough and proper history is more impressive to me than being able to rattle off 20 script meds and their actions or indications. Just asking the patient what their history is doesnt cut it.
When it comes right down to it, at the basic level all one needs to know about prescriptions is how to write down the names, gather a pertinent history and hand off to the ER. Treatment at the basic level regardless of what med they are on will not change. (lets not get picky, yes you can assist if they take NTG or inhalers, I am talking in general)
I am the last one to smack down anyone for trying to learn as I am always teaching and encouraging others to continue learning. I have never stopped myself. I am also not downplaying the importance of basics or belittling them in my above sentence, I am merely stating a fact.
And I was genuinely curious as to why he would take on such a daunting process that would leave him very short of pertinent information.
What demographic is he in? Is it an urban area with a lot of government assistance? Why is this important? Because in that environment, prescription meds will mostly be generics...did he write those down? Is he in a touristy or international area? Why, because foreign meds have different names than our US counterparts. There could be a group in the area that is big on herbal medicine. Did he get any of those down? Those are very common in some areas and it is important to know their actions as well.
My whole point, as I said earlier was I appreciate and respect what he is doing, however it is such an overwhelming task that he is going to miss so much and probably find his guide useless or woefully inadequate. Sometimes, the wheel just does not need to be reinvented.
If he wants to learn these meds, by all means continue to learn but as a field guide he may be lacking.
On another note to the original poster, there is a company that will make field guides out of your local protocols. I dont know how large your service is or how many would be interested but it makes great Xmas gifts from the squad or service or if everyone just pitches in together. But it is nice having them all small typed and bound so they will last through many many uses.
And yes, I have several extra field guides. Send me you address in private.
