Loving care in the ambulance service

• The ambulance service should offer good care signified by humane and individual treatment of the patients, based on love to our fellow man. The aim of this study was to find out how loving care was practised in one ambulance service. The method for the study was the critical incident technique. Twelve paramedics, the majority of whom are qualified nurses, took part in the study; they were asked to describe, in writing, critical incidents in which they had acted with loving care. The paramedics’ writings disclosed their ability to do their job with loving care, bearing on their cognizance, solicitude and empathy. On the whole, subject cognizance, the ability to judge and treat based upon the monitored symptoms of the patients, was apparent. In the main, subject solicitude loving care was shown through humbleness, consideration, closeness and being in rapport, and generally subject empathy, the paramedic’s empathic capacity and his knowledge about man’s behaviour in a crisis, became evident. From a clinical standpoint the study shows the importance of the paramedics possessing professional skill. As a contribution to science the study adds to continued research based upon descriptions made by other groups of personnel about the phenomenon to be studied; namely, loving care. © 1995 Pearson Professional Ltd.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Adult

ambulance

article

emergency health service

empathy

female

health personnel attitude

human

human relation

love

male

middle aged

nursing methodology research

organization and management

psychological aspect

questionnaire

rescue personnel

Adult

Ambulances

Attitude of Health Personnel

Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Technicians

Empathy

Female

Humans

Love

Male

Middle Aged

Nursing Methodology Research

Professional-Patient Relations

Questionnaires

Nursing

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)