An assay: What is ‘Paramedic’?

An assay: What is ‘Paramedic’?

Е.В. Зыкова

Тарский филиал БПОУ ОО «Медицинский колледж»

г. Тара, Омская область,

преподаватель

If we look up a translation for a word «фельдшер» there will be several meanings such as: paramedic, first-aid man, doctor assistant, rural paramedic and even a surgeon assistant (in a case of war, I suppose). Fasmer etymological dictionary shows us that a word «фельдшер» comes from a German «feldscherer» which means «field surgeon». I believe that Russian language borrowed this word in a time of Patriotic War.

I preffer a translation «paramedic» because this translation reflects the main point of duties of this «medical worker». The Latin prefix «para» means about, or beside. In my understanding paramedic is not a doctor, but a bit more than a nurse at the same time.

The paramedic provides the population with medical services of different kind. The paramedic works independently in the policlinics, emergency ambulancies and hospitals. His main task includes prescription and performance of preventive, curative and diagnostic measures. Paramedics can prescribe medicines and give recipes.

In villages a paramedic is considered as a real doctor. Those who live in a distant villages can always come to him for a treatment. And there is no matter what`s wrong with them – whether it is a headache or vomiting.

I think that the most important duties in paramedic`s everyday job are considered in pediatric area. Children are the flowers of life…Or something like that, I don`t remember for sure. When a child is born the paramedic have to visit him every month until he is 1 year old. It is called dynamic observation. The paramedic makes sure that the child is growing healthy, measures him, gives advices to his mother. So, just like a doctor anyway.

Adults also receive required help from their «rural doctor». The paramedic gives advices about healthy way of life, gives examinations and orders to qualified specialists, makes prescription and gives injections.

The paramedic always knows «the picture» of his rural health care area. There can be people with high blood pressure, diabetis, ischemic heart disease and so on.

Also the paramedic is a highly-trained specialist in emergent area. He has to diagnose life-threaten conditions and make fast decisions about what to do to save the life of patient.

What about me?

I have a diploma in curative affair and I am a paramedic. I fully understand what a precious profession I have and I hardly can say that I regret about anything. Of course studies were hard but I `ll always be grateful to teachers of Tara medical college. I studied there for 4 years. They taught me the most important thing in this profession – to listen and to help people. Yes, to listen. I know that sometimes to help someone it is enough just to listen. Having this diploma one can get any work in medicine, for example, my choice and my favorite was and still on – is stomatological area.

I got my paramedic diploma in2004, so it has been passed 14 years already, but ….a magic thing is that now I m a teacher in the same medical college I graduated from. Those persons who were my teachers now are my colleges. What a life turn, isn’t it?