What makes a good medic?

[NomadicMedic]

Last night a couple of my coworkers were talking about a third coworker. One of them said, "oh yeah ... he's a good medic."

Hmmm. I know this guy, not exactly how I would describe him.

What makes a "good medic" in your mind? Is it someone who's a patient advocate? Is it someone whose aggressive with treatment? Is it somebody who works trades and stays late for you? Is it somebody who lets you borrow 20 bucks when you need it? Is it somebody who has the protocols memorized? Or is it the ever popular, "I'd let them work on my family"?

I don't rightly know. I think that the phrase "good medic" is bandied around quite a bit with no real description. I even see it here quite a bit, describing forum members.

I'm pretty sure if I asked those two coworkers their definition of a good medic, it would not come close to my definition of a good medic.

What's yours?

 

[chaz90]

Hmm, good question. To me a good medic is aggressive when necessary, but also knows when to hold back. They know the protocols, but more importantly know the reason behind each protocol and what the limitations of said protocols are. Even when unpopular, a good medic does what they know is best for the patient and deals with justifying it later. They also take responsibility for their own mistakes and don't make excuses. They will show an interest and willingness in continuing their education and must accept when new evidence proves previous treatments obsolete of new treatments more effective. Furthermore, they must treat all patients equally. Being consistently terse may be understandable, but treating "respectable" people worse than the "undesirables" of society is unforgivable. My criteria are probably more stringent than most. To me though, being good at something implies being better than average, and thus the exception rather than the rule.

 

[firecoins]

Buys me coffee

 

[Akulahawk]

Chaz provided some description of what a "good medic" is... but it's just one of those things that you know it when you see it. It's quite like art vs porn. Both show the body and can be very graphic about it, but one just isn't pornographic.

There are just some intangibles in addition to the what Chaz posted that makes an average paramedic rise above that and become a "good medic" and it just shows, and everyone can see it.

 

[EpiEMS]

Like the Supreme Court, I think I know a good medic when I see one...
Then again, here are some of my favorite qualities:
-- A good medic is a good teacher. She instructs peer clinicians, as well as lesser-trained personnel as to how to perform their duties better (as well as why they're doing what they're doing). She is also a patient educator.
-- A good medic is an insightful clinician. He performs a thorough assessment, and explains what he is doing as need be.
-- A good medic is a patient advocate. She makes the patient the priority and treats the patient with the dignity and respect they deserve. Similarly, a good medic knows his limitations. He triages patients and ensures that they get the care they need (at the right place, right time, and from the right people).
-- A good medic is a leader. He keeps his crew, fellow responders, and patients safe. He ensures that the response is organized, and debriefs crew members on their progress.
-- A good medic cares. She doesn't believe that her education didn't include caring. She knows that medicine is fundamentally about healing others, and acts like it.
-- A good medic is a lifelong learner.

I think this all applies to any clinician, at any time, and while I wouldn't call an average EMT a clinician owing to the minimum educational standards that EMTs are held to, I would say that the best EMTs try to do this.

 

[NomadicMedic]

Sadly, I just hear it a lot… And it seems like it's attached to just people that are perceived to be good guys. I don't particularly see it attached to anyone's paramedic skills or depth of knowledge.
I also hear, "he's a lousy medic" quite often. Interestingly enough, it's often said about several of the smartest people in the department. Perhaps because of their bedside manner? Or, maybe it's their lack of popularity.

Could be.

I just like to hear some qualifiers when someone says, "Oh Joe Blow? He's a good medic." I usually ask, "Why? What makes him a good medic?" Most people don't have an answer.

And, we do have some very good medics in my department. Most possess the traits that were mentioned above. I'm sure Chaz has worked with several of them during his FTO time.

 

[EpiEMS]

Interestingly enough, it's often said about several of the smartest people in the department. Perhaps because of their bedside manner? Or, maybe it's their lack of popularity.

Doesn't a good medic have to have a good bedside manner? I hate to say this, but process matters too -- a patient should feel better as well as be better, no?

 

[NomadicMedic]

I agree. But again it comes back to that question, would you rather have a competent jerk or a really nice mediocre Paramedic take care of you.

 

[EpiEMS]

I agree. But again it comes back to that question, would you rather have a competent jerk or a really nice mediocre Paramedic take care of you.

Depends on the seriousness of the condition. If I want a taxi ride, it doesn't matter. But if I'm in extremis, I probably won't care if I get called "sir" or "hey you". The best medics I've worked under have been cordial and competent, and as such I would say that the P(Nice | Good) is greater than the P(Jerk | Competent).

 

[Summit]

Doesn't a good medic have to have a good bedside manner? I hate to say this, but process matters too -- a patient should feel better as well as be better, no?

Indeed. Good bedside manner improves information gathering, a key part of assessment. It can also improve gaining. appropriate consent to certain treatments. If the patient doesn't like you or trust you, you may be missing puzzle pieces and unable to convince them to go with you or accept interventions.

 

[Carlos Danger]

would you rather have a competent jerk or a really nice mediocre Paramedic take care of you.

Is there a difference between "competent" and "mediocre"?

I doubt anyone would choose politeness and death over rudeness and survival. But that's a false choice, I think.

Because skill-wise, a paramedic is either competent or not competent. You are either good at identifying MI on the EKG, or you are not. You are either good at airway management, or you are not. You either know the protocols, or you don't. IMO there is not much difference between a "barely competent" and an "excellent" paramedic.

In my mind, a "good" paramedic is one who has mastered all the basic competencies and also has strong soft skills.

An "excellent" paramedic is one who meets the "good" criteria, plus brings something special and valuable to the table. Like being a really good teacher, having unusually strong assessment skills, etc.

 

[Akulahawk]

One of the things that I think may make an "excellent" medic is the ability to think outside the box. I've met many good medics that rigidly follow the protocols and try to fit the patient to a protocol as opposed to coming up with a treatment plan and finding a protocol that fits... if not, calls for orders.

 

[firecoins]

Good bedside manner.

Can competanly do skills.

Knows the protocols. Can follow them and not follow them as the pt needs applies.

 

[Ace 227]

-- A good medic is a good teacher. She instructs peer clinicians, as well as lesser-trained personnel as to how to perform their duties better (as well as why they're doing what they're doing). She is also a patient educator.
-- A good medic is an insightful clinician. He performs a thorough assessment, and explains what he is doing as need be.
-- A good medic is a patient advocate. She makes the patient the priority and treats the patient with the dignity and respect they deserve. Similarly, a good medic knows his limitations. He triages patients and ensures that they get the care they need (at the right place, right time, and from the right people).
-- A good medic is a leader. He keeps his crew, fellow responders, and patients safe. He ensures that the response is organized, and debriefs crew members on their progress.
-- A good medic cares. She doesn't believe that her education didn't include caring. She knows that medicine is fundamentally about healing others, and acts like it.
-- A good medic is a lifelong learner.

This is awesome and I totally agree. Thank you.

 

[DesertMedic66]

Hmm, good question. To me a good medic is aggressive when necessary, but also knows when to hold back. They know the protocols, but more importantly know the reason behind each protocol and what the limitations of said protocols are. Even when unpopular, a good medic does what they know is best for the patient and deals with justifying it later. They also take responsibility for their own mistakes and don't make excuses. They will show an interest and willingness in continuing their education and must accept when new evidence proves previous treatments obsolete of new treatments more effective. Furthermore, they must treat all patients equally. Being consistently terse may be understandable, but treating "respectable" people worse than the "undesirables" of society is unforgivable. My criteria are probably more stringent than most. To me though, being good at something implies being better than average, and thus the exception rather than the rule.

This. When I say a good medic I do not mean about their personality or if they stay after their shift or even if I get along with them.

 

[mcdonl]

What I consider a good medic...

1st and foremost. "They know what to do...." They handle every situation professionally and with dignity. And when they dont know what to do they use decision making skills that take into consideration the protocols, the situation and their training.

2nd they teach anytime someone of a lower license level is in their presence. As an intermediate and medic student, I look forward to my shifts with "good" medics because they are always willing to help.

 

[Fish]

Last night a couple of my coworkers were talking about a third coworker. One of them said, "oh yeah ... he's a good medic."

Hmmm. I know this guy, not exactly how I would describe him.

What makes a "good medic" in your mind? Is it someone who's a patient advocate? Is it someone whose aggressive with treatment? Is it somebody who works trades and stays late for you? Is it somebody who lets you borrow 20 bucks when you need it? Is it somebody who has the protocols memorized? Or is it the ever popular, "I'd let them work on my family"?

I don't rightly know. I think that the phrase "good medic" is bandied around quite a bit with no real description. I even see it here quite a bit, describing forum members.

I'm pretty sure if I asked those two coworkers their definition of a good medic, it would not come close to my definition of a good medic.

What's yours?

That is a hard question... open to multiple opinions.

My view of a good Medic, or Medics who I view as our "better" Medics is this:

-Shows excellent customer service at all times
-Handles(or atleast honestly attempts to) Handle all situations calmly and professionally
-Stays on top of education and updates
-Has a vast and in depth understanding of our role in the healthcare field and our job.
-Is able to weigh pros/cons of a skill or Med and make an educated decision
-Is a patient advocate
-Does not show disgruntled-ness to fellow coworkers and patients
-Paramedics are usually leaders onscene, so Leadership traits are important

Anyway, that is just a few

Myths of what a "Good Medic is......." or what makes you a "Good Medic"

One who knows their protocols like the back of their hand
One who has been "on the streets for YYEEAAARRRSSSS" and has all kinds of "experience"

 

[EpiEMS]

I'd say that experience is good up to a point. That is to say, it looks parabolic for most medics. Up to some level it's beneficial and complementary to education, but, absent continuing education (not just CE, but real education) knowledge atrophies, etc., so by the time they're X years out of their program, they've got lots of experience but have lost knowledge, if you will.

 

[Sublime]

I agree. But again it comes back to that question, would you rather have a competent jerk or a really nice mediocre Paramedic take care of you.

I don't feel like this comparison should even be made. Is is not possible to be a very knowledgeable and skilled paramedic as well as one that is nice?

 

[Fish]

I agree. But again it comes back to that question, would you rather have a competent jerk or a really nice mediocre Paramedic take care of you.

I'd want a really nice competent Paramedic....... There are many out in the world who fit this discription.