Each year Americam Idol comes out. Pretty much the same format and I continue to swear not to watch it. But I am weak and wind up watching and slowly getting roped into the show and rooting for certain contestants.
The other night while watching I started to think how the contestants are really a representation of the population we treat as EMS provdiers.
I think one of the reasons I get so wrapped up in the show is listening to the contestants dreams and hopes. It reminds me that the people we treat most likely have similar goals.
Maybe not to become a singing sensation. Perhaps that last broken leg I had wants to be a dancer or the poor guy that got glass in his eye wants to be an airline pilot.
Sort of like Simon or Randy, I am thinking maybe that dream just isn’t going to happen for them. Yet still I root for their speedy recovery and hope that they do indeed fulfill their dreams.
I recall the last motor vehicle accident I responded to and the young man who wanted to be a Marine. His worry the whole time was if he was going to still be able to get into the Marines and how the accident would effect his going to Boot Camp.
It’s been awhile since my days in the Army and how things work and I just did not have the answers for him. But still I admired his goals and while his injuries where not life threatening, I wished for his quick recovery and continued pursuit of his goal.
I believe as EMS Professionals we need to keep in mind that each of our patients has hopes and dreams. They all worry how their current condition will hinder the time to get there or even that it may end their dream altogether.
Think about how that American Idol contestant acted when they where told they couldn’t go to Hollywood. Remember that the people we try and help each day are more than just what they are presenting with. That there is a person behind the asthma, trauma or other emergency.
So, while you can get wrapped up and hypnotized by Ryan Seacrest or the latest singing star. Handle with care like Paula (I know she’s gone) and remember that each patient is much like that American Idol contestant and more importantly just like you.
This is a great reminder Jim. What kind of questions do you ask to get to know your patient’s beyond their immediate problems? How do you make them comfortable to share their dreams?
A lot of what I say depends on the patients anxiety. I try and make them relax as much as possible and focus on their complaint or injuries. I find that once I can get them to a place where they feel something is being done to help them, they will start to talk about where they work or maybe what their plans were that day. This will lead me to engage them in deeper conversation. All the while of course doing secondary assessments and remember that this interaction can also tell you a lot about the patients mental status and whether it is improving, declining or even alert you to other complaints that the patient may think of during your interaction.
So while there is no set line of questioning. I try and make it clear to them that I am open to their questions and their immediate concerns and this more often than not will lead to more open conversation.
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