Interview with a Flight Paramedic Essay Example

Various military groups conducted experiments with air ambulances during World War I, and despite facing initial difficulties, their popularity has grown over the years.

Advancements in modern medicine and technology have made air ambulances indispensable in pre-hospital settings. In a conversation with Robert Monk, a flight paramedic, he shared his career decision. Robert's fascination with helicopters and aircrafts started during his early years, but his parents preferred him to pursue medical school. Recognizing the demanding path of becoming a doctor, he opted for an alternative route. Robert obtained paramedic certification from a nearby community college and ultimately became a critical care paramedic.

Having worked as a paramedic for five years, I decided to pursue certification as a flight paramedic. Fortunately, I was able to find employment in this field. (Monk, 2011) When asked about my experience as a paramedic, my response is always "I have been a paramedic for 10 years and counting." (Monk, 2011) As for my future in the field of flight paramedics, I am uncertain about any other career path besides being a paramedic. (Monk, 2011) The aspect of this profession that brings me the greatest joy is the opportunity to make a life-or-death difference in someone's life. In moments when things appear grim, I can sometimes provide hope. (Monk, 2011) When it comes to influencing patient decisions, it is common for them to be comatose or experiencing an altered mental status.

"The well-being of my patients is of utmost importance to me. I prioritize their best interests and treat them as if they were my own family." (Monk, 2011) It is crucial to consider three factors that affect the ability of patients to receive

care. One vital factor to recognize is that my patients typically meet the State of Florida Trauma Criteria, which determines their eligibility for helicopter access. Thus, if they fail to meet these criteria, they cannot use a helicopter for transportation. In general, the individuals I attend to frequently encounter severe car accidents or similar incidents."

According to Monk (2011), burn victims are a common category of trauma. He believes that healthcare legislation is driven by personal vendettas among politicians. However, as someone in the private sector, he is not overly concerned about its impact on his practice. He points out that the private sector is profitable for hospitals and trauma surgeons, with helicopter rides alone costing $16,000. Monk emphasizes the importance of saving lives and states that one's life cannot be measured. Regarding the future of his profession, Monk (2011) expresses optimism and states that flight paramedics will always be essential in providing exceptional care in pre-hospital settings.

If it were not for paramedics providing their expertise, many patients would not survive their journey to the hospital, succumbing to simple ailments in the field (Monk, 2011). When asked about a prevalent health trend in their job, the response was "Trauma, Trauma and more Trauma." This increase in trauma cases can be attributed to the proliferation of fast cars, helmetless motorcycle riders speeding at 120 M.P.H while texting and driving (Monk, 2011). Reference: Monk, R.

(2011, November 21). Interview by P Henry [Personal Interview]. Critical care during flight. Zigmond, J. (2008).

Flying in the face of danger is the cover story of Modern Healthcare, volume 38(27), with a page range of 6-15. The article is retrieved from the Academic Search

Online database.