02 July 2019 02 Jul 2019

Fear in the paramedic clinical environment

This article focuses on the physiological, emotional and behavioural response that is fear and considers how it impacts clinical practice. It may have some benefits; for example, the release of the stress hormone cortisol which can increase cognitive function and short-term memory improving information handling. Equally, it poses significant risks, such as loss of perspective, damage to clinician-patient rapport and information bias.