Ghettomedic gone naked..
Some of you are probably wondering exactly what qualifies as a "Ghetto Medic?" Well, first I guess you have to fall in one of the following groups..
Paramedic
EMT (Basic, Intermediate / Specialist)
MFR (Medical First Responder)
Military medic
I could probably list all of the variations with firefighter or police attached to it but it doesn't really matter. Whether you work for a private ambulance company, a third service, public safety or are a volunteer or paid member of a Fire Department you are probably well on your way to being a "Ghetto Medic." Sadly, if you are just a "good Samaritan" , while admirable to say the least you are still closer to being a victim or patient than a true ghetto medic. Sorry..
You might be asking yourself..."gee.. I am a paramedic (EMT, FF/Medic, Bozo the clown, etc) but my response area is pretty nice...How could I be a Ghetto Medic?" Well, I guess by the textbook definition of "Ghetto" you could ponder that question to great lengths based on the composition of the neighborhood, financial status of the citizens, etc.
Guess what, It doesn't matter once again. You could have patients with a median income of 300k a year and still be a ghetto medic! How lucky you are my friend! Still having doubts? I can sympathize, but ask yourself some of these questions and if you answer yes to any of them then there's your proof.
- Have you ever been called for a runny nose?
- Have you ever been called for "company" to the lonely patient down the street? Have you ever had the 14y.o. patient with chest pain secondary to hyperventilation and the big "break up" with the ex?
- Have you ever had a patient under 16 who was pregnant?
- Have you ever had a patient deny any medical conditions only to give you a long list of meds with terms like "Lasix" on it?
- Do you have patients that you run on all the time, a.k.a. "regulars?"
- Have you ever asked yourself "they called 911 (me) for this?"
If you can answer yes to any of those then you are most definitely a ghetto medic. If you couldn't answer yes to any one of them then enjoy utopia and send me an email with where I can apply.
Seriously though, life sucks some times and after a while you start putting people into nice groups. Namely, "us" and "them." Us being one end of 911 and them being the other, usually heavier end of the equation that never seem able to ambulate.
Take a look around the site, register on the board when you get a chance. We have a section for your protocols, if you have them send them to us and we will put them online. Pictures? Send those. We are open to suggestions..
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