Attributes
 

What attributes make a great medic?

Closely guarded sense of compassion.

Compassion provides the "want" to fix something that is wrong with their patient.

Closely guarded to provide the standoff required when dealing with a grave situation, and also to ensure that someone that really isn't as bad off as they think doesn't take advantage of the medic.

Technical expertise to be able to render the required procedures and medications the way that they need to be done.

Strength to handle the burden of being "Doc" and everything that comes with that. Late night IV's for the team that went out to do some "cohesion" exercises TDY, patching up the breacher that decided "Min safe" wasn't close enough to admire his handiwork and shock wave propigation. Dragging their friend to a safe place after an IED went off on patrol, so they can live to fight another day.

A sense of humor... Things you run into can be extremely humorous... Joe just decided to shave downstairs and just happened to have some recreational activities with a 69H barracks wench and thinks he has the herpes, when it's just ingrown hairs... I know nothing of this personally though.

Above all, a professional attitude. You know your shit, don't second guess yourself. If you don't think you have the right answer, pull out a reference and make sure your diagnosis is consistent with what is going on.

Excellent! I see you've thought about this.

The ability to always learn. If someone does something you don't know, or haven't seen before, ask. In front of the patient is NOT the best time though. :)

The ability to guard your person feeling, but not to keep them shut down. I still have problems letting those I love see all of me sometimes.

I think TFKilo has hit on most of them for me, without any help.:D

When you say "person feeling" what exactly do you mean?

Have you been doing something naughty to the patients?

Being able to distract someone before you jab the needle in. No, seriously.

Courage.

TR

Don't know medic's, but veterinary isn't that different:

creativity, ability to improvise, think fast

my .02

Huh? Medic's aren't different than vets?

Probably referring to the patients.

TR

2 legs, 4 legs, some with fins - all mammals.
Characteristics required in both professions, IMHO, are similar.
When I started out studying Veterinary I was told 30% of all MD's failed Vet school first.

I don't know how it is now, but when I went through, we had to learn some vet medicine as well, mostly large animals. No problem for me, I was a cowboy in my younger days. Each Group had a Vet and we took him with us on MEDRETEs. Watching the Yankee medics try to get hold of a burro can make the whole trip.:D

Same now.

TR

Thanks - I needed that image LMAO :D

I find the most important to be real world experience. To be a good medic you need to threat patients. There is no training in the world that that can replace real world patients. Thats why i think that a military medic must have civilian credentiels. If they have they can practise on thier own much easier.