You show plenty of respect for your patients. I believe doing Community First Responder work for the last three years has made me a better person.

I could always show sympathy as a First Aider (25+ years) even if I didn’t feel it. However, as you say, people invite us into their homes and tell us stuff they’d have told no one other than their closest family – if them. I now feel sympathy and respect, rather than just show it (or at least in the vast majority of cases).

I also have the privilege of working with some great people – not just the BRILLIANT EMS professionals, but with carers both paid and unpaid. That’s why I sometimes take a little time out to talk to carers who are not going with the patient. They’ve done their bit and a little praise and encouragement, and an explanation where appropriate, mean a lot to them. I’ve experienced this as a First Aider at work or in the street when someone from the Ambulance Service has simply aid “Nice job!”.

Great blog; you’re now a link from my site.