THE HEALTH OF OUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS
How can you take care of someone else when YOU are the one falling apart? Every day in New York (as well as other states), this question needs to be at the forefront. There are more than 30 thousand EMS professionals in New York State, and everyday the health and well-being of (mostly) strangers is put before the welfare of our EMTs and Paramedics. It takes someone very special to be selfless. However, if you are careless with your own body, you might not be able to help others for long.
It is not easy to enter a stranger’s home to find them crying, or angry, and be able to give so much of yourself. Things get more complicated if YOU are the one who is not feeling well, overtired, even hungover, or perhaps so stressed yourself that you just cannot handle more problems. But you do not know, when those tones drop, and you are on your way to someone’s home… you really don’t know what you are going to find when you arrive. And even worse, after you deliver your patient to the hospital and you are on your way back to base, you just can’t shake the tears and fear you encountered. Maybe you can’t even get to sleep that night just thinking about it.
If you have ever taken a plane ride, one of the important things they tell you is “In the event of an emergency, put on your own oxygen mask before helping others with theirs.” You are not being selfish to take care of yourself before caring for others. It’s hard to take care of someone else when your own mind is muddied, or you are too tired to stay awake.
Depending on the agency that you work (or volunteer) with, the administration might demand 8-hour shifts or longer. If you are on for an extended period, and there are sleeping quarters, make use of them. Make sure you eat HEALTHY foods while on duty and off. And off-duty (definitely NOT on duty), don’t rely on alcohol or drugs to “help you cope.” Always make time to manage your stress, spend time with family and friends, and take “ME-time” whenever you can. And do not avoid keeping up with your own physician.
If you are part of your agency’s administration, or are able to recommend it, suggest possible perks such as an in-house gym or membership at a local exercise facility, so that employees (or volunteers) can have a safe place to keep themselves fit and release stress. Bring food from home or help stock the station’s fridge with healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. And if you have encountered a particularly emotional crisis on a call, do not hesitate to speak to trained professionals to help you through it. Finally, while overtime pay may sound like a bonus, be honest if you are really not up to it – sleep is a very important chance to recharge.
When you are home, spend time with family, read a good book, watch a relaxing movie. Always take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.
I'm a former NYS EMT and still part of an EMS & FD family. I like to think I can write ;)
