Maybe We're Wrong

[fiznat]

The word "education" is tossed around a lot around here. I'd like to know where people feel the line is drawn between "education" and "training." Just because a paramedic knows about the heart's four chambers and how electricity flows from top to bottom doesn't mean that he/she is "educated."

[ERDoc]

z

x?

[Dustdevil]

The word "education" is tossed around a lot around here. I'd like to know where people feel the line is drawn between "education" and "training." Just because a paramedic knows about the heart's four chambers and how electricity flows from top to bottom doesn't mean that he/she is "educated."

It does. It also means that they have an understanding of the basis of their therapeutics that other medics do not have, making them a safer practitioner, and qualifying them for the title of "professional" instead of just a technician.

[firemedic197]

I belive we do need to know why we perform the treatments we use in the field. If a patient is in cardiac arrest you can perfom CPR perfectly all day long, but it wont do the pt any good if the cause is not found and corrected. If we just perform actions in the field how do we know if we are doing the right thing? EMS is not black and white it is very grey.

Also it is important to be able to perform the skills needed in the field. It dosent do any good if you KNOW what to do but cant do it.

There is a strong need for being able to know HOW and WHY we do things.

[Diazepam618]

This job is so easy, you can learn it fast and easy while working. this is why we are paid the small wages as opposed to other evidince based healthcare workers.

[reaper]

This job is so easy, you can learn it fast and easy while working. this is why we are paid the small wages as opposed to other evidince based healthcare workers.

Because of people like you?

[brentoli]

There is a strong need for being able to know HOW and WHY we do things.

Thats the diffrence in education and training.

The "Trained Monkey" knows how to put the bookshelf together.

The "Educated Monkey" knows why the pieces fit together they way they do to build a self supporting structure.

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The "Trained Monkey" can preform ACLS algorythmns in his sleep.

The "Educated Monkey" understands the physiology and reason for the order and dosages of drugs, shocks, and CPR.

[Ridryder 911]

Interesting topic. Ironically I am in a EMS Instructor refresher, and it is interesting to see the difference in opinions from those that educate at a academia level and those that instruct at a career tech level. Yes, I used different discreption of methods of teaching because it is very evident of the methods or required method to present the material.

..."There is nothing education cannot do. Nothing is above its reach. It can turn bad morals to good; it can destroy bad principles and recreate good ones; it can lift men to angelship"...

Mark Twain

We will have to focus upon removing our stigma and as well requirements from being a "trade" and being a profession. We will never see respect, financial improvements, longetivity until this occurs. Part of this is removing our image as public safety workers to being educated medical personnel. Requiring not only core subjects to be taught but general education as well before one can enter any EMS level program. EMT should only be considered either a first responder program or a intro level only. Time limits upon completion of Paramedic programs should be instituted from start to finish, alike other professional programs.

“A poor surgeon hurts one person at a time. A poor teacher hurts 130.”

Ernest Boyer

* thanks Dr. Bledsoe for emphasizing these quotes

Scrutiny of whom can enter and even those with other degrees and professional license should be performed. We need to close the "open door" policy. I still say its too easy to become an EMT and definitely too easy to become a Paramedic. If we become more controlling we can not only control the outcome of whom will enter the profession but will control the degree of pathway our profession will go.

We have to become firm at this time as there is great opposition against EMT"s having an education. The reason is mainly due to fear, ignorance and financial. Fear that one may not be able to pass or meet requirements, fear of change, ignorance of what education is really about and financial reason that one will have to be paid appropriately.

R/r 911

[Diazepam618]

Because of people like you?

What career oriented individuals such as myself

[rock_shoes]

Experience is useless without education. Without education how can you possibly gain from your experience. Great you know how to bring someone's blood glucose up by injecting them with 1mg of glucagon. Do you also know that there is no point in giving a second dose of glucagon should the first fail because the first dose virtually depleted the bodies glycogen stores? Do you know that it is now doubly important that your patient take in some calories because you just depleted their bodies "emergency" stores? Do you know that glucagon also has smooth muscle relaxant effects? Great you "Fixed" your patient. Now what do you do if the results aren't what you're protocol said they would be? Without education you have nothing to base your experience on. There is a reason that recognized professional designations require that you complete your initial education first. It produces a better end product. What is it that causes those of us in EMS to believe we are somehow different?