Humility at work

The paramedic profession is evolving at a mindblowing pace, with increasing knowledge, skill, scope and responsibility. But there is something to be said for the humility that embodies being a paramedic—the down-to-earth way in which they comfort patients by talking to them, sometimes using mild humour to put them at ease, making them a hot cuppa in their kitchen.

Historically, I would argue there has been a societal undervaluing of nurturing roles. Nursing is one such example, with the profession moving away from the image of bedside handmaiden and towards a highly educated and skilled clinical workforce, innovating practice, carrying out research and applying the growing evidence base to patient care. This is positive to be sure; however, ‘a little bit of old-fashioned “hands-on care” goes a long way’ (Jerrett, 2020)—and this is no different in paramedicine.

On p. 54 of the current issue, Lynda Sibson, makes an argument for the ‘humble telephone call’ in an increasingly distant climate of communication, while on p. 85, student columnist, Jolyon Price discusses the importance of accepting one's limitations and reaching out to others. On p. 76, Costello and Downs present a reflective and critical exploration of a student paramedic's decision-making during a patient interaction. This case demonstrates a more experienced practice educator's approach in not only empowering the student paramedic to take the clinical lead in the patient's treatment decision, opening up his own hypothesis for further interpretation, discussion and revision, but also, in valuing the student's input and his commitment to his own continued learning. It shows the importance of humility over ego and the value of a multi-professional approach to putting the patient's care and wellbeing first.