In this episode we talk about workplace stress, how people cope, and what happens when coping doesn’t work.
An interesting topic with good discussion. To listen to the show, click here
Posts Tagged ‘education
24
May
10
GenMed Show “Deal Or No Deal”
For some time now, the idea of a “Community Paramedic” has popped up in many discussions on how to better serve our patients. Some services, like Wake County EMS have instituted such a program with great success. Many other systems are also now taking what Wake County has learned, and are adapting it to fit there needs.
The current model is focused on identifying “at risk patients” (chronically ill, special needs, and what is sometimes referred to as frequent flyers ) and using specially trained Paramedics to better serve their individual needs, in a non emergent setting, with a style of care that mixes a home health nurse, social worker and a primary care physician.
Considering the fact that even in the “911 setting” much of what we do is non emergent primary care, and that unnecessary ER visits and hospitalizations significantly contribute to the rise in health care costs. Community Paramedicine is a logical evolution of the industry.
But what if you have a unique population to serve and want to better the prehospital care in your area? Well one such organization has met the challenge.
Hatzolah/Hatzalah (“rescue” or “relief” in Hebrew: הצלה) is a volunteer EMS organization serving mostly Jewish communities around the world. Most local branches operate independently of each other, but use the common name. It is also often called Chevra Hatzolah, which loosely translates as “Company of Rescuers.” 
The original Hatzolah EMS was founded in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, by Rabbi Hershel Weber in the late 1960s, to improve rapid emergency medical response in the community, and to mitigate cultural concerns of a Yiddish-speaking, religious Hasidic community. The idea spread to other Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in the New York city area, and eventually to other regions, countries, and continents. Hatzolah, as an organization, is the largest volunteer ambulance service in the world. Chevra Hatzalah in New York has more than a thousand volunteer EMTs and Paramedics who answer more than 250,000 calls each year with private vehicles and a fleet of more than 70 ambulances.
Hatzalah members were among the first responders to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Alongside other rescue workers, Hatzalah volunteers risked their lives to rescue, treat, and transport countless victims of the terrorist attack. In the process they earned great respect from their peers in the emergency service community.
Hatzolah organizations now function in Israel, Australia, South Africa, Mexico City, Belgium, Switzerland, several provinces of Canada, Russia the United Kingdom, and at least five states in the US.
In Israel, the largest Hatzalah organization is called Ichud Hatzalah (Hebrew: איחוד הצלה), Hebrew for, “United Hatzalah.” Ichud was founded in the aftermath of Israel’s Second Lebanon War in 2006 when its founders decided they would like to improve unified central rescue response. A prior organization, Hatzolah Israel, also exists, and is of comparable size.
Hatzolah uses a fly-car system, where members are assigned to a district to respond from in the event of an emergency. The dispatcher requests any units for a particular emergency location. Members who think they will have best response times respond via handheld radios, and the dispatcher confirms the appropriate members. Two members will typically respond directly to the call in their private vehicles. A third member retrieves an ambulance from a base location.
Each directly-dispatched Hatzolah volunteer has a full medical technician “jump kit,” in their car, with oxygen, trauma, and appropriate pharmaceutical supplies. Paramedic members carry a full array of ALS supplies, including EKG monitors, IV equipment , intubation, and more pharmaceuticals. Each volunteer is called a Unit (as in, a crew of one), and is assigned a unit number that starts with a neighborhood code, followed by a serial number for that neighborhood (e.g., F-100 was Flatbush unit number 100, a”h). Ambulances also have unit numbers in the same format, with the first few numbers for each neighborhood reserved for the ambulance numbers. Some neighborhoods have begun to assign 3-digit unit numbers to their ambulances, using numbers out of the range assigned to human member units (e.g. 900-numbers).
In some areas there may be periods where coverage is not strong enough, for example on a summer weekend. When this happens, coordinators may assign an on-call rotation. The rotation may still respond from their houses, or they may stay at the garage through their shift. In such periods, Hatzoloh functions closer to a typical EMS crew setup, though the dispatchers may still seek non-on-call members to respond, and there will still often be a non-ambulance responder as first dispatched, even if that responder starts from the base.
One area where Hatzalah gets huge kudos from me is in the cultural consideration department. Cultural sensitives are an issue for any EMS that covers immigrant areas, especially when a given immigrant population is relatively small, speaks a unique language, and has a specialized insular culture. Hatzolah was formed in the Hasidic enclave of Williamsburg, in Brooklyn, NY, a community that matches this description. Language, religion, and culture barriers made emergency medical situations more difficult than they might be otherwise, especially as regards laws of the Jewish Sabbath and Holidays, and laws of modestly in clothing, and contact between males and females.
While the primary reason Hatzolah was formed was to speed up medical response, the cultural issues play no small part. Though long established in America and elsewhere, Hasidic communities in Williamsburg and elsewhere, to this date, continue to have the same milieu found when Hatzolah was formed.
A Jew reluctant to violate Sabbath rules when receiving medical attention from an “outsider,” may be more at ease and easily convinced of the medical urgency, when the EMT or Paramedic is a fellow Orthodox Jew, speaking the same patois of Yiddish, English, and Hebrew. A female worried about physical modesty and contact, knows that a Jewish provider is more aware of the details of her concerns, and will reduce the problem as much as possible.
In addition, in areas where EMS charges a fee, there is an additional factor. Lower income clientele that may lack health insurance may have a reluctance to call for an ambulance unless the evidence of urgency is overwhelming even to the layman. This may result in true emergencies not getting treatment until symptoms worsen, to avoid the cost. A volunteer service, with sensitivities to the local community, tends to reduce that reluctance; Hatzolah is well known for its willingness to handle the “check-out” case, where there is frequently no real emergency, without charge and with great patient sensitivity. In this way, the true emergencies among those check-outs may be recognized and treated quickly, where the caller might have otherwise not sought treatment.
We all experience cultural differences, but having a provider of the same heritage is priceless. Your community my not be as unique, but there is a lot to be learned from Hatzalah’s operation. For more information check out their website, and take a look at a true “community” EMS system.
I heard an interview with a Hatzalah EMT, and was interested in the service. I found Wikipedia to have the most content, and much of the information here is from that article. If anyone has any more info, or has experience working with them let me know.
06
May
10
EMS On The Hill
On May 3rd and 4th, I was in Washington D.C for The first annual EMS On The Hill event presented by the National Association of EMT’s and Advocates for EMS. At this event, we as a profession took a huge step towards bringing EMS to the next level. The event started on the evening of the 3rd, with a meeting between the participants and high ranking members of the NAEMT. We were brought up to speed, and given materials on the legislation we would be advocating for, followed by a briefing of what to expect the following afternoon on the hill.
The room was packed with a mix of field providers, educators and chiefs from around the country, and I had a feeling very similar to the one I had at the Chronicles of EMS premier. The feeling of pride and community one gets when in the company of people who share the same passion for ones cause. “When we first came up with this idea, we thought that if we could get 30 or 40 people in one place, that would be something” said Jerry Jonston of the NAEMT. What resulted was 140 professionals, representing 40 states and Puerto Rico, all here for one reason, to make EMS better for ourselves, and the patients and communities we serve.
On a side note, myself and my GenMed colleague Natalie Quebodeaux were the youngest providers there. Our excitement and enthusiasm was both refreshing and motivating to everyone we spoke to. Why were we all here in the first place? We were here to show our shared legislative priorities as EMS Practitioners. First the Medicare Ambulance Access Preservation Act of 2009 (S. 1066, H.R. 2243), which would provide permanent Medicare Reimbursement relief for ambulance services consistent with the 1997 GAO report that determined that ambulance providers are paid significantly below cost. And the Dale Long Emergency Medical Service Providers Protection Act (S. 1353) along with the Nongovernmental Emergency Responder Family Protection Act (H.R. 2485). Both bills would extend the federal Line of Duty Death benefits to EMS professionals employed by private and non-profit EMS agencies.
After the briefing, we were divided in to groups by our representing states, and quickly became acquainted with one another. I was proud to represent my home state of California, and would be doing so with members from the San Francisco Paramedics Association, and Paramedics from Riverside, Tuolumne, and Contra Costa county. The next afternoon was game day, and delegations from 40 states spent the day meeting with their state’s senators and or staff. My group had meetings with staff members of our senators Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. The Meetings went great, and the staff members were very interested and understanding of our mission. After my meetings, Natalie invited me to sit in on her meetings that were set to begin shortly. She was representing Louisiana, and I met some wonderful people there. Ken Bouvier and Dr. Jullette Saussy Director of New Orleans EMS. Also Tim Morrison. It was very interesting to see how different the delivery of the information and our message was between the two states.
That evening, there was a small reception, and Natalie and I were fortunate to have a long conversation with KC Jones, the NAEMT Educational Director of Region IV. We talked about the differences in our systems, the new educational standards, and brainstormed ways to create a more unified EMS system in the U.S. It is because of events like this, that I am confident EMS is on the right track toward progressing to the high level profession it deserves to be. Personally I found the whole experience to be very rewarding, and I am already looking forward to next year.
When the political hat was put away, I was able to meet (in person) some great friends and EMS professionals. Scott Kier (@MedicSBK) and his friend Emily drove down from Massachusetts to hang out, explore the capital a bit, and and share in some good times over dinner and breakfast . Also Matt Basset (@squirrel325) and his girl friend (another Emily) was able to come out and show us around the city. Matt was great company, and has a unique background of experience to draw from when it comes to public safety. EMS On The Hill, great people coming together for a great cause. Ya can’t beat that.
To listen to a great podcast about EMS on the hill with special guest Scott Kier ——> click here <—–
02
May
10
Looking For Trouble: Part 1
What do you think one of the most important skills a EMT or Paramedic can have? is it good IV skills? Maybe good airway management? Or how about a friendly bed side manor? theses are all without argument very important skills to have, but what about assessment skills?
It is the first treatment every one of our patients receive, and one that should be continued until care is transferred. It is the one skill that no matter what the chief complaint, is always preformed… or is it?
Do you really, fully and properly assess and examine every patient? Do you take into consideration every thing the patient and the scene is telling you before making a treatment or transport decision? Unfortunately no, and I’ll the first to admit I’ve cut corners from time to time. The sad truth is we all get lazy, and can fall into bad habits of sorts. But why?
I see over confidence being a major cause of inconsistent assessments. It’s easy to roll up and say “oh it’s just another fill in the blank , their fine, lets ship it.” I have seen it too many times, and having it result in “less then appropriate care.” Perhaps another problem is the way we as individuals approach assessments. In school when it come to assessments we stress the points of being consistent and thorough. Then during field training, the advice changes, and we are told to get our assessments down to a system. And the mantra of “don’t treat the monitor (any diagnostic equipment) treat the patient” is drilled. Sound advice, but is it being understood?
Based on my experience of observing others assessment “habits”, I believe there may be a misinterpretation of what is being taught. ” Be consistent and thorough” could be interpreted as “memorize an algorithm and hit every mark.” So with that, are you using and understanding the information that your assessment is presenting? Or are you too worried about forgetting to palpate “that”, and ask “this” question?
“Don’t treat the monitor, treat the patient” could be (and I have seen) practiced as “treat at face value, if they look ok, meh… they are probably ok.” Now that’s having a great index of suspicion.
I’m going to ask you to shift the way you approach your assessments, and to show up looking for trouble. This is my philosophy, and I think it makes a lot of sense. Let my explain. If you (the patient) or a by stander felt it necessary to dial 911, for whatever reason, this implies that there “is” or “was” some sort of problem needing attention. If I arrive and find you (the patient) to be in no apparent distress, I become suspicious.
The way I see it, by the very act of using 911 you have now bought yourself an assessment. And in essence must prove me wrong to your need of my service. Now I don’t mean to be rude about it, but I would rather look for a problem and find nothing, then to just take a BP and call it good.
Beyond the normal set of vitals and an appropriate physical exam, I like to take the time to learn about the patient and the their reason for calling. Its very important to be clear on the circumstances surrounding the summon for EMS. Listen to the patient. Let them describe the event, and how they felt or are feeling in their own words. Listen without filling in the blanks or leading their answers.
Asking about a patients past medical history is something we all do instinctively. But how much are you really pursuing it? When you ask “do you have any medical problems” and they answer “no”, do you follow that with “do you see a doctor for anything?” Nearly 4 out of 10 Americans has at least one chronic medical condition, and if it is being well managed, and has been for some time, some patients my not consider their chronic illness as a “Problem” because to them its not. Lets suppose they report that they do not see a doctor for any reason. Now do you ask when was the last time they were seen by a doctor? If someone has not seen a doctor in 10-15-20 years, could it be possible that they may have high cholesterol, un managed hypertension, the plague… Yes, and all the more reason to do a full and thorough assessment.
In part 2, I will explain how to do a rather detailed assessment with out using any equipment. But for now, think of how you assess your patients, and if they deserve a little more. After all, you cant treat something unless you know its there.
15
Apr
10
Care Free
The state of emergency medical services, or any medical service for that matter, is no care free business. But yet much of what we provide ends up being free. Hospitals around the country lose tens of thousands of dollars a month, often through the emergency department. EMS services routinely treat and transport “non paying patients”, and the already huge cost of health care rises because of it.
Do I think its right? No. Do I think uninsured patients should be refused treatment? Of course not. I take pride in my ability to provide care to anyone, paying or not. I am also aware that as this trend continues, it becomes more difficult to maintain a functional system of care delivery. What am I saying… Its already broken.
Now this country’s recent health care reform has been met with some very, shall I say “mixed” reviews. This post is not about that. Perhaps I’ll say something on it later, but not now. I will report this however. A friend recently told me that because of the now, even lower reimbursement rate from medicare and medicaid, that his company is cutting back on ambulance coverage in the poorer communities. This to me, does not sound like a viable solution.
In a perfect world, medical care would be free. Even in this “economic climate” (meh… I feel like CNN saying that) I actually advocate more free care. I have always said that providing free monthly health screenings, and community CPR classes is a great way to bring back the “public” in public health/safety. Another practice I advocate, is to keep copies of community resources in your clip board or in the ambulance. As we all know, many patients use 911 and the ER because they have no other choice. By educating them of alternative, and in many cases more appropriate and affordable means of care, the financial burden is lessened for both the patient, and the system.
On that note, I would like to introduce you to the National Association of Free Clinics. The National Association of Free Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the more than 1,200 free clinics and the people they serve in the United States .
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Washington , D.C. , the NAFC is an effective advocate for the issues and concerns of free clinics, their volunteer workforce of doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, technicians and other health care professionals, and the patients served by free clinics in communities throughout the nation.
The NAFC provides guidance and training for new and existing Free Clinics. As the national voice for Free Clinics, the NAFC has an active role in helping to shape national health care policy and legislation that affect Free Clinics and the people they serve. With the help of the NAFC, In 2007 alone, over $40 million dollars in donated major pharmaceuticals were distributed to free clinics.
On their website they can help you find free clinics in you area,this information can then be passed on to your patients. While you there, you can become a member of the NAFC, and of course make a donation. Seeing as it’s tax season, who would argue with worthwhile right off?
Care free my friends.
31
Mar
10
The Seven Dollar Dent
Today I was out and about town. This morning I took my car to the mechanic for some passed due maintenance (Thanks Chronicles of EMS) Then this afternoon was I off to the good doctor (and family friend) for some passed due personal maintenance. Then off to the office supply store, and a quick phone call to headquarters to enquirer about some new uniforms. All and all, I’d say it was a productive day. Yup… the well oiled machine of society was running smoothly… or was it?
On my home, I needed a phone number that had been emailed to me. I turned into the parking lot of a shopping mall to (safely) access the internet on my cell phone. On my way out of the parking lot, I noticed a homeless woman sitting on a wall near the exit. And there it was, the familiar feeling we all get. That uniquely human sensation brought on by a cocktail of guilt, remorse, empathy, sympathy, compassion, frustration, anger, helplessness, and denial. I don’t know what to call it, but it’s “that” feeling. Perhaps us EMS folks feel it a bit stronger then others do. The sight or thought of someone in need can at times wreak havoc on our caring nature. It urges you to do something while stabbing you in the back with the knowledge that it’s never enough.
As I got closer I could see she was in her late 30′s. she looked healthy enough, and had some luggage with her (Clean, new luggage.) She also had a large, detailed cardboard sign, “Homeless with two daughters”- I couldn’t read on… There was traffic behind me, so I had to pull out on to the street. I circled the block and went back.
It’s wrong. The well oiled machine of society was broken… It broke a long time ago, and no one seemed to care. “as long as my Iphone doesn’t get scratched, and Starbucks doesn’t run out my triple shot ignorance late’ then all is good…” No, I’m sorry. It’s broken. “But that’s like why I go to Starbucks, because I care… Cuz like, their coffee is all free trade and stuff… I think… right?… what does free trade mean again?” *head desk*
In a parking lot full of luxury cars, in a world enamored with money, and this woman had nothing. After working in any branch of emergency services, you become intimately aware of society’s dirty truths that it wishes you didn’t see. The drugs, the violence, the corruption, and the injustice. Because of that, you become quickly skilled in reading people. She was not a drug addict, or a prostitute, or mentally ill (not that any of that should matter) she was a person. I’ve had coworkers argue that, “I bust my but all day picking up bums. They are not getting my money or time when these boots come off.” Yes, on duty you have a legal responsibility to these people. But what about your human responsibility? The human responsibility that lead you to this job in the first place…
In my wallet I had seven dollars cash. Seven dollars that was left over from money I had borrowed. It was her’s… I drove back to her corner of the lot and parked next to the Mercedes Benz she was near. “I want you to have this” I told her. She thanked me, and the society machine got a much needed drop of oil. One thing I learned from my father was to give. He is a very generous man, even when he has little him self. He never told me I had to be this way. He never explained its importance. As a child I would just watch him do it with grace and humility.
Seven dollars would not fix this woman’s problems, or fix society. But it made a dent. It showed this woman that someone cared. It set an example to everyone who watched and did not act. It made a dent… This is what we do, try and try, one little dent at a time. The sad truth is that after that, I saw at least a dozen more people who needed a dent.
I know the readers of this are compassionate people. We may have never met, but I know you. I encourage every one of you to go make dents, in what ever way you can. What am I saying… I know you make dents. I guess I’m saying don’t stop making dents, or even better make more.
This is what we do, try and try, one little dent at a time.
23
Mar
10
Maybe A Little Crazy
For some time no
w, I have exhibited some rather odd behaviors. This has lead me to consider the possibility that I may be a little bit crazy.
Some examples of my possible craziness include:
I guess elderly peoples medical history while in line at the grocery store.
I look at strangers necks, arms and hands and get a happy feeling when they have “good veins”
I yell obscenities at the television during Trauma, ER and House… well House is “ok”.. sometimes.
I have a Pavlovian response when I hear a pager go off.
I feel strangely comfortable talking to drug addicts and “legit” crazy people.
I have a bright orange jump bag in my car for “just in case”
I know the door codes to hospitals all over the county, and which hospital cafeteria has the best french toast.
I instinctively turn and look when I hear a diesel engine, and for a moment are confused when I only see a pick up truck.
I feel a bit more comfortable when I have a pair of exam gloves in my pocket. Again, for the “just in case”
The list can go on and on but you get the idea. Some may say I’m burnt out, but that couldn’t further from the truth. I love what I do, and I could not imagine doing anything else. Every day I am excited to do more, to learn more and to be more. Maybe it’s just me?
I suppose I am a bit crazy. I mean we all are to some extent. But what about you? What makes you crazy?
Lately I have been having a lot of discussions with fellow EMS providers and the general public about the state of health care, and the delivery of EMS in this country. The opinions expressed in these conversations are as varied as the individual, but one thing remains the same. “There has to be a better way.”
When doing some research on the subject, I was frankly overwhelmed. If you search for information concerning health care reform, public opinion or pros vs cons. You’ll be met with a mountain of research, pseudo research, statistics, projected statistics, public polls from three different news agencies with three different results, propaganda and conspiracy theories.
In the pursuit of better health care and delivery of EMS the debate is ginormous, the hurdles are tall, and the road is long. But there is a better way. There are in fact many ways. The United Kingdom, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Aulstralia are just a few examples of countries that provide health care and EMS differently and arguably in some ways better then the United states. I do not know what the best way to provide health care and EMS is. Every system has it’s good points,and it’s bad. But I do know there is a better way.
As it stands right now. No mater how much education, training and specialized equipment we possess, we are left with one option to deliver care. Take the patient to the Emergency Room. Now on paper that makes sense. We are an emergency service that responds to emergency calls. Naturally we should transport to emergency departments.
The reality is that many of our patients are not in a state of emergency. That is not to say that they are not in need of care, they are. Often they are in need of a lot of care, just not the care that is available at the emergency room, or in the back of the ambulance. What this means is that we are not providing appropriate care. And as long as we continue to do so, we are causing a huge disservice to the patient, the ER, the EMS system and are contributing to the problem.
“Oh, and by the way. Can I have $1500 for the ride I gave you to that inappropriate facility where you did not get your problem corrected? Thanks very much and feel free to call us back anytime”
* * *
There is a better way. And there will be change. It wont be next month or next year, it may not be for many years. But there are ways you can start providing better care, and help to get the EMS 2.0 ball rolling a bit faster.
- Provide your patients with resources. Online and in the ER are lists of community resources like homeless shelters and food banks, free and low cost clinics, mental health services and counseling, detox/rehab centers and 12 step groups and more. Make copies of these lists and keep them in the ambulance. When you have a patient “in need” provide them with a copy of the list, and take the time to explain the other options that are available. Of course never refuse transport, and reassure them that the ambulance will always be there. But reiterate that there are other services that may be able to help them more appropriately. A good time to do this is during transport when you have a private “teaching” moment with the patient
- Provide monthly or bi-monthly free community health screenings. Partner up with a local hospital or urgent care clinic and hold the event in their parking lot. Other great places are schools and community centers. Along with the health screenings, give a short talk about health and safety. And teach the signs and symptoms of things like heart attacks and strokes. Why not go one step farther and teach basic CPR. It’s all about compressions, and a lay person doesn’t need a paper card from the AHA to do compressions. What this does is it puts EMS into the community and back on peoples minds.
- Show the Chronicles of EMS to everyone. Show it to the medical field and the public alike. Show them that there is another way, show them that the current system is broken. the status quo remains not just because of the fear and reluctance to change, but also because many people are unaware of the problems and their possible solutions.
- Educate the public, and start a petition. explain to patients (stable and non emergent) the limitations of the current EMS and health care system. Explain that there are other places in the world that do things differently and have more flexibility to provide appropriate care. Ask them “If I could take you somewhere other then the ER or provide more and or different care and service, would you want that? Where would you like to go? What would you like me to be able to do for you? Collect the signatures and take them to your chiefs, hospital administrators, medical directors, representatives, and politicians.
These are just a few ideas. and I am sure you can think of some more strategies that may be better suited for your system and community. Please feel free to share your ideas, and things that you or your agencies are doing to provide better care and advance the profession.
04
Mar
10
GenMed Podcast and CoEMS
Well the Chronicles of EMS train just keeps on chugging. Only less then a month after the premier in San Francisco and days before it’s east coast premier in Baltimore at EMS Today, CoEMS is the topic on everyone’s mind.
This week I was a guest on the GenMed Show
Podcast to talk about CoEMS, Social Media and EMS, and what all this means for our profession. I had a great time on the show chatting with host Natalie Quebodeaux about our experiences at the premier, and where the momentum of CoEMS might lead our profession.
You can read my personal account of the San Francisco premier HERE and then follow it up with the PODCAST.
28
Feb
10
I Am Medic, Hear Me Roar
I am Medic, a
nd for that I am quite an interesting creature. I come from a military ancestry. My family was in all of the great wars, and the not so great as well.
In the the mid 1900′s I slowly grew and fought for a place in the world. In the 1970′s, a landmark television show told my stories every week And helped to introduce my mission to the public.
During the 1990′s and early 2000′s, I educated my self and battled legislation and health care reform.
Now today I am once again in the media (a bit more then in the 70′s) and I am preparing to move forward in my life.
But as glamorous as my life may sound, there is another side. The side that is lost and confused. The side that is poor. The side that is disrespected and misunderstood by the public and my medical piers. The side that is expected to work faster, better, longer, 24/7 no matter what.
I am the bastard child of health care and the foster child of the fire service. Neither of my parents know what to do with me, and they get mad at me when I ask them for help.
I care a lot about my self and for the people in this world, but I find it harder and harder to do even the minimum anymore. Some times I feel like I should run away and leave the world and my so called “friends” behind. To leave them alone to handle their own emergencies them selves. maybe once I’m gone they’ll realize how important I was, and how wrong the were to treat me that way.
The sad part is that no matter how bad it gets, I don’t think I could ever leave. I’ve been here too long. The need is so big and I care too much to go now. I would work for free and drag myself on bloody stumps to just help one more unfortunate soul.
I am lost. I am confused. And I really need to sleep. What can I do?
Well let me think…..
I am extremely resourceful, and can do more with less. Hell what can I say, I’m used to it.
I can do five things with two hands and never break a sweat.
I have never met you, but in 10 minutes will know everything about you.
I can diagnose from across the room.
I have never been to medical school, but have gone toe to toe with many physicians .
I know my community intimately and it’s citizens better then any mayor has.
I will care for you when you are ill. I will hold your hand when you are afraid.
I will witness horror and tragedy without flinching, and find the good in any situation.
I am honest, caring, trustworthy, smart, professional, resilient, and unrelentingly passionate about helping others.
I am Here, and the time for change is now. And I’m not going down without a fight.
I Am Medic, Hear Me Roar!
