Last week was National Child Protection Week. I asked Paul Oliveri, one of our program lecturers and a practicing QLD paramedic to share a few insights into some points to remember as both student paramedics and also once qualified. Please share your thanks to Paul for taking the time to prepare some words of wisdom on an important but obviously difficult topic. ( approved by both Paul & A.Weber for posting) "As Paramedics some of the most rewarding and most tragic cases we see involve children. Personally I know of Paramedics who have chosen this profession simply due to how they were treated by a Paramedic during an injury or illness. This is the potential scope of influence we have on one of Australia’s most precious resources… our young. With this week being child protection week it is time for reflection on our role. Having been asked to write this post I find myself forced to reflect on this question of role and what it means to me. For me it is one of holistic care of the child to the best of my ability, starting with the clinical responsibilities but not ignoring the psychological and social aspects of each individual situation. My role is also control, control of the clinical situation and where applicable my team. It is also one of exercising emotional control. As carers for the community what we are not is judge, jury and executioner, these are roles for people somewhat removed from the screaming, crying and blood of the initial scene. Following control our role is one of reporting, impartial health professional recounting of the FACTS as we know them, not what we think went on, and this may continue to the witness box. When considering the visceral level of emotion this topic generates in both myself and quite a number of my colleagues there is probably one word which describes our role in these situations…HARD!” Paul Oliveri
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 09:26:51 +0000
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