Last month marked the 1-year anniversary of the Manchester Arena attack, and the launch of the NHS Heroes Awards. It also marked our editorial board meeting at the Journal of Paramedic Practice where several interesting discussions took place—and one in particular has been lingering on my mind.
Do you think you're a hero for the work that you do? I do. However, I know that some of you feel you are simply doing the work you are paid to carry out. Others among you appreciate being celebrated for your service. And others can't stand being called a hero. These were the diverse opinions expressed at the meeting, as well as on our social media platforms.
It is true that you are paid to do your job—but only you decide how well you're going to do that job, and how much heart you are willing or able to put into caring for your patients. I'm of the belief that a certain amount of heart in your work will result in better care for patients—but also tougher (and more rewarding) effects on you. While I can't speak for any of you, I know that I couldn't engage my heart in the ups and downs of the types of care you provide. It would just be too much of an emotional, mental and even spiritual roller coaster for me—probably why I don't do the type of job that requires me to care directly for other people. The highs would be high and the lows would likely drain me too much to regularly pick myself back up to the standard I'd hope to achieve. However, one thing I know from personal experience is that the more adversity we are exposed to, the more resilient we actually become.
In this issue of the Journal of Paramedic Practice, Austin et al (page 240) discuss the ways in which secondary traumatic stress affects paramedics and emergency medical technicians, as well as the concepts of resilience, post-traumatic growth, and positive or negative outlook. In this month's book review (page 264), Vincent Romano touches on the same themes and notes that many students and new staff members assume they will, at some stage in their careers, experience post-traumatic stress disorder—but that this isn't true. He goes on to say that the experience of post-traumatic growth (a building of resilience following repeated exposure to potentially difficult situations) is much more likely to be encountered by frontline staff, and that it is in fact a positive experience, rather than a negative one.
However, managing difficult situations requires effective outlets and coping resources. Austin et al interestingly note that resilience is higher in those who express an interest in coping training. But some paramedic professionals not only believe they shouldn't be celebrated for doing the work they are paid to do, but that violence, and even abuse, are simply part-and-parcel of the job. This should not be accepted, and resources should be in place to support emergency service professionals when they experience such treatment, as well any other negative effects that may arise from the job.
Last month, I briefly mentioned to you the tragedy that had hit Canada, where I'm based, and this month, I have reached out to some of the professionals involved in those incidents to share with us their experience. While you may or may not want to be a hero, you certainly are—and we want to pay tribute to you. In this issue, we hear from a paramedic leader who formed part of the response to the Humboldt Broncos bus crash (page 266) and from the team who responded to the Toronto van attack (page 268). Next month, we'll continue that tribute as the NHS turns 70 with stories of emergency care professionals that have responded to incidents in the UK.