This goes out to all the paramedics and EMT's out there. Today I received a blog rating from a paramedic. While he gave my blog a very respectable 8 out of 10, he also raised a very serious concern he had with what I write. I will quote him verbatim: "Several times I noticed the author mentions having to give advice to paramedics re. gaining IV access and providing fluids etc. Seemed at times like he was implying paramedics just wait around for the Dr, not knowing what to do and needing their advice."
I would like to state very publicly that this is not at all how I feel. I work on a daily basis with paras and EMT's, and have nothing but the greatest respect for them and for the work they do. I am there to provide assistance, where needed, and to work together with the crews. Clearly this has not come out in my writing, and for that I apologise.
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2 years ago
I read his review yesterday too, and was surprised to read his view. Personally I have never felt you have portrayed your role as he described. I am always interested to see how BASICS and EMS work together, as we dont have the luxury of your assistance up in the North East.
ReplyDeleteI dont think a public apology was needed, but maybe its good just to clarify things.
My knowledge of paramedics is limited pretty much to Tom Reynolds' blog (which is where I found this one). But I have to say that your critic sounds like a bit of a sensitive plant. I've never noticed a here-comes-Mr.-Dr. tone in your posts. I'm not even sure where he was looking to find it.
ReplyDeleteHaving had the pleasure of working alongside BASICS doctors, and in particular RRD himself on several occasions, I was quite shocked at the criticism. Sounded like a different person and for that matter a different blog from the RRD I know! I've always found the when BASICS docs turn up it's always a question of what they can do for us and how can they help us as paramedics out. I for one am eternally grateful!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm actually the same guy who left the above mentioned review. It was unfortunate as ran out of space so could not clarify exactly what I meant. I'd firstly like to apolgise to RRD for what seemed (after reading the post back) to be a bit mean. I do not for a minute think that he personally feels in anyway patronising or superior to EMS workers. I was only pointing to a couple of sentances I noticed that I and a couple of my work mates thought could potentially be taken the wrong way. In all honesty we probably read far too much into them (late into a busy nightshift and all)! Anyway I don't want to be seen as being ungrateful as I really appreciate all that BASICS and the volunteer Docs do, just wanted to make sure there was a similiar level of respect. In RRD's case, there clearly is! I guess a few of us have a little sore spot at times after being treated simply as taxi drivers during handovers in many hospitals (sure we have all experienced it). Thankfully this is not always the case, and in fact I think the BASICS scheme is a perfect way to show hospital staff the problems we have in the pre-hospital arena. So to clarify, this is a good blog and very interesting. To be honest I would like the chance to work with RRD at some point, I'm sure he would have a huge amount to teach me! Sorry if I caused offence and you can RSI any of my agitated patients whenever you like! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Samoan. I too have seen this attitude from some of my colleagues - one who I watched pull out an ET tube because a para had inserted it. He didn't last long...
ReplyDeleteWell I'm pleased and very grateful there are pro-ambulance consultants like yourself working out there. We are lucky to have one down at my local hospital who also volunteers (although not with BASICS) and it is really good to have someone sticking up for us in rescus. You have the benefit of seeing that patients don't come pre-packaged and you guys generally have far more time to explain what is happening and answer all my geeky questions :-)
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