Introduction
It is important to note that paramedicine is a multifaceted field when it comes to the skills and competencies required to excel at it as a paramedic. One of them is the ability to make properly weighed and effective decisions under pressure, which correspond to ethical and professional standards. Therefore, developing ethical and professional decision-making skills in paramedicine is critical for the provision of mindful and patient-centered care because they are interdependent, the field is quickly evolving, and education alone is insufficient.
Discussion
Firstly, one should be aware that ethical and professional decision-making are tightly interconnected non-technical skills that complement each other greatly. The role of a paramedic’s ethical and professional decision-making skills is essential for the provision of care as a part of his or her continuous professional growth and education (1). In other words, one cannot grow and advance as a paramedicine specialist without having these critical competencies. It is reported that “decision-making is central to the everyday practice of paramedicine … decision-making in this environment is intended to provide care and treatment in the best interests of the patient” (2 p. 1). The latter directly showcases how mindful and patient-centered approaches necessitate ethical and professional decision-making in paramedicine.
Secondly, the given skills are important for the current paramedicine approach framework primarily because the field itself is constantly changing. It is stated that the role of a paramedic is under rapid evolvement, where there is a wider range of mobility compared to traditional roles, which demand flexibility accompanied by adherence to professional standards of practice (3). Mindful and patient-centered approaches cannot be implemented effectively and successfully without the necessary competency to be professionally and ethically decisive in accordance with the outlined standards of practice. A scoping review of key skills necessary for a paramedic identified that the top five ones include non-technical skills, which include both ethical and professional decision-making (4). In other words, the tools, instruments, and methodologies might change with the emergence of new technologies or other solutions, but the patient will always remain at the center of a paramedic’s interest.
Thirdly, the existing education system for paramedicine might not be sufficiently equipping the paramedics with the given skills at a necessary rate, which means that each professional must put extra effort into developing them. Evidence suggests that under the newly evolving professional context, paramedic education might not have adapted sufficiently to develop ethical and professional decision-making skills in paramedics (5). Therefore, each future or current paramedicine specialist needs to pursue ethical and professional decision-making competency development to be effective at providing mindful and patient-centered care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, since the field is evolving and education is insufficient, it is up to paramedics to comprehensively develop their interdependent ethical and professional decision-making skills to be able to deliver mindful and patient-centered care. As healthcare continues to advance, paramedics must remain proactive in their pursuit of knowledge and skill development, particularly in ethical and professional decision-making. By engaging in ongoing education, networking with fellow professionals, and staying informed about industry trends, paramedics can ensure they are providing the highest quality patient-centered care. In addition, healthcare organizations and educational institutions should work collaboratively to address the gaps in current paramedic training, fostering a culture that values ethical and professional decision-making. As a result, this will not only benefit individual paramedics but also strengthen the field of paramedicine as a whole.
References
- Braithwaite S, Barcinas SJ. Improving continuing professional education: A study of paramedic ethical decision-making dilemmas and supports. American Association for Adult and Continuing Education [Internet]. 2020(1):1-11. Web.
- Collen A. Decision making in paramedic practice. 2nd ed. London: Class Professional; 2022. 27 p.
- Bennett R, Mehmed N, Willaims B. Non-technical skills in paramedicine: A scoping review. Nursing & Health Sciences [Internet]. 2020;23(1):40-52. Web.
- Shearer K, Thomas M, Signal T. Perceptions of ethical dilemmas in Australian paramedicine. International Paramedic Practice [Internet]. 2021;11(3):1-9. Web.
- Carver H, Moritz D, Ebbs P. Ethics and law in paramedic practice: Boundaries of capacity and interests. Journal of Paramedic Practice [Internet]. 2020;12(10):1-12. Web.