What's The Job To You??

So recently theHappyMedic wrote about Recognition and Medic999 wrote about How Do You Want To Be Seen (Part 1 & 2), it got me thinking about how patients view me and also should I even worry about it.

Should I?? I believe I should. Why?? Because being a medic in today's industry is more than just treating the patient, let me explain:

Just over a week and a half ago, my partner and I had a pre-booked transfer for a gentleman (who we will call John) who was recovering from a CVA. Due to complications from his stroke, John had a NG tube in place and was going to another hospital for a consult and some tests to see if he was ready to get the NG tube removed. The receiving hospital is about 30 minutes from our town. John didn't really need any care in a medical sense.

So off we went, my partner driving and me and John in the back... What do you do with a patient you don't need to treat?? I asked him a question "What did you do before you retired?" Well, he opened right up and before John and I knew it we were arriving at the hospital. My partner and I waited for the John to finish the procedure (roughly 1 hour) and then we headed back to the "home" hospital. On the way back we talked about everything from technology changes to farming to diesel engines. Well, I listened and he talked. We brought John back to his room and said goodbye and off we went. So what?? That's exactly what I thought. In my mind I had just dealt with another patient and done my job.

I didn't think about the effect of "my job" had on my patient until a week later. My partner and I were in the same unit picking up a different patient when I hear a person saying "I thought I recognized the voice" I turned around and there was John in his wheelchair, smile on his face, and NO NG TUBE. So I walked over and he's told me that he just wanted to say hi and asked how my day was going. I was floored. Normally I take patients to and from appointments or drop them off at hospitals and never talk to them again. There is the odd time that I'll notice them and go ask them how they are doing but for me to be approached by one of my patients because he recognized my voice... I barely spent half a day with John. Either way, that exchange with John got me thinking...

We may think we are just doing our job and not going beyond the call of duty but what does the patient think we are doing? What's going through our patient's mind when we ask them about them? Did we leave a lasting impression on them no matter how small? Did we just make their day? Or does it even matter??

A friend passed on a quote that is so fitting to the subject:

"Enthusiasm is not based on how fun your job is or how much it pays; it's based on why you do what you do. " - author unknown

So beyond the medical aspect.... What is the Job To You????

John is improving, eating solid foods and starting to walk with assistance. To John, I am glad to be a small part of your life.

Cheers

Also a good read:
EMS in the New Decade - Some Things You Should Know.