The Evolution Of The Advanced Practice Paramedic

By Bernice Terry


Today, a modern advanced practice paramedic would be a highly trained professional who is able to deal with a variety of situations to help the sick and critically ill. These professionals are able to deliver quick and effective treatment which often saves lives in the ambulance. The work of these people is essential to many people all over the world, and enable many people to survive accidents.

Military conflict saw the birth of the first paramedics. There have been accounts found of the battles of Roman battalions, which seem to show the existence of this job in the earliest centuries. Many of the older soldiers who were no longer fit to battle were often given the task of picking up the wounded soldiers from the center of the battlefield. These professionals were often trained in basic procedures.

The paramedic throughout history goes hand in hand with an ambulance service. This could be defined as the transportation of the sick by any means, in order to get them to better medical care. These services have been recorded as dating back as early as the bubonic plague in sixteenth century London. After the plague subsided, these services became a little more permanent, and began to transport patients who needed all varieties of medical care.

Ambulances with engines began to be used during the battles of world war one. At this time, the 'paramedic' would not be required to provide any treatment to the patient. Studies were carried out which showed that survival rates for the wounded on the battlefield were often better than those in car accidents on the road, due to the ambulance service.

The regulation of what paramedics were allowed to do was not very controlled, and so many of these professionals often were allowed to administer powerful narcotics to patients. These drugs could cause further problems and death if not used carefully. However, in the isolation of a war ship or a trench, doctors were not readily available and so guidance was not given.

The evolution of the modern paramedic began in the 1960s, when early experiments began in Ireland to begin delivering cardiac care to heart attack patients before they get to the hospital. Though the technology available to the health care professionals was not very advanced, they were trained in treatment, rather than to just drive the ambulance to the hospital.

An emergency health care professional has become increasingly centered around giving a patient medical attention before they reach hospital to ensure they have the best chance of survival and minimizing pain. Eventually, the description of the service began to evolve, from the 'ambulance service' to the 'emergency medical services'. The standardization of the ambulance service was called for, and professionals began to receive the same training.

The career of an advanced practice paramedic is one which many people have taken up in order to enjoy a diverse, exciting career which offers many opportunities. Today, the service is one which is respected and applauded by many for its lifesaving work.




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