Author: Ben-Fogel

Growing up, I was always interested in healthcare and helping others, but I also struggled with intense fear and anxiety. The thought of working in a high-pressure, life-or-death environment seemed impossible to me. However, as I got older, I realized that my desire to help others was stronger than my fear. This realization led me on a journey to overcome my fears and become a healthcare provider.
My journey was not easy. It required me to face my fears head-on and push myself outside of my comfort zone. Here are some of the key moments and lessons that helped me overcome my fears.

First Step: Volunteering at a Hospital
When I was in college, I decided to volunteer at a local hospital. I started by working in the gift shop and doing other non-medical tasks. However, as I got more comfortable in the hospital environment, I began to explore other areas. I shadowed nurses and physicians, helped with patient transport, and even assisted in the emergency department. This experience allowed me to confront my fears and see firsthand the impact that healthcare providers have on patients’ lives.

Second Step: EMT Training
After college, I decided to take the next step and become an EMT. This decision was a huge leap of faith for me, as I had always been afraid of working in emergency situations. However, I completed the training and started working on an ambulance. This experience was both challenging and rewarding. I learned to think quickly and work under pressure, and I developed a sense of confidence that I had never felt before.

Third Step: Nursing School
After a few years as an EMT, I decided to take another leap and become a nurse. This decision was not easy, as I was still battling with my fears. However, I knew that nursing would allow me to provide even more comprehensive care to my patients. Nursing school was intense and demanding, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I learned a lot about myself, my abilities, and my limitations.

Lessons Learned
Through my journey, I learned several valuable lessons that continue to guide me as a healthcare provider. First, I learned that fear is a natural part of the human experience, and it’s okay to feel afraid. What’s important is how we respond to our fear.

EMT students face a high-stress environment during their training, and later on in their careers, they face challenging situations, including dealing with trauma and working long hours. It’s essential to prioritize mental health to prevent burnout and maintain a positive attitude towards the work. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some practical tips for EMT students to prioritize their mental health.

1. Get Enough Sleep: Lack of sleep can have a negative impact on mental health. It’s important to get enough sleep to ensure that your body and mind are well-rested. Prioritize a healthy sleep schedule by setting a regular bedtime and creating a sleep-conducive environment.
2. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness is a technique that can help EMT students stay in the present moment and improve their mental health. Mindfulness exercises can include deep breathing, meditation, and focusing on the senses.
3. Connect with Peers: It’s important to build a supportive community of peers who understand the challenges and stresses of EMT training. Connect with your peers through online forums or student organizations to discuss challenges and share experiences.
4. Practice Gratitude: Focusing on the positive aspects of your life and work can help shift your mindset and improve your mental health. Take time to reflect on the good things in your life, such as a supportive family or friends, and focus on the rewarding aspects of your work as an EMT.
5. Set Boundaries: It’s important to set boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. EMT students can benefit from scheduling time for hobbies, family, and self-care activities to recharge and prevent burnout.
6. Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Mental health professionals can provide guidance and support to help you navigate challenging situations.

Remember to take care of yourself, connect with peers, and seek professional help when needed. Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and it’s essential to prioritize both.

Night shifts can be challenging for EMT students, but they also offer unique opportunities to learn and grow as healthcare providers. To help you make the most out of your night shifts, we’ve compiled some practical tips that can help you stay alert, focused, and productive.

1. Plan Ahead: Prepare yourself physically and mentally for your night shift by creating a routine that works for you. Get enough sleep during the day, exercise, and eat healthy meals to fuel your body and mind.
2. Stay Hydrated and Nourished: During night shifts, it’s easy to forget to drink and eat, but staying hydrated and nourished is critical to maintain your energy and focus. Pack healthy snacks and meals, and drink plenty of water throughout your shift.
3. Take Short Breaks: Taking short, frequent breaks can help you recharge and stay alert. Use your breaks to stretch, walk around, or do some deep breathing exercises to help you feel refreshed.
4. Stay Connected with Your Team: Working as a team is critical to delivering effective care during night shifts. Stay connected with your team by communicating regularly, supporting each other, and sharing responsibilities.
5. Use Light Therapy: Lack of natural light during night shifts can affect your sleep-wake cycle and mood. Use light therapy by exposing yourself to bright light before and during your shift to help regulate your body clock and improve your alertness.
6. Practice Self-Care: Practicing self-care is essential to manage stress and maintain your well-being. Take time to do things you enjoy, such as reading, listening to music, or practicing a hobby. Engaging in self-care activities can help you recharge and feel more focused.
7. Focus on Learning: Night shifts offer unique learning opportunities that can help you become a better healthcare provider. Take advantage of your night shifts by observing experienced healthcare professionals, asking questions, and practicing your skills.

Remember, taking care of yourself is critical to deliver effective care, and it’s okay to ask for help when needed.

As a healthcare provider, I always knew that empathy was important, but it wasn’t until I experienced it firsthand that I truly understood its power. As an EMS provider, I encountered patients from all walks of life, and it wasn’t until I started connecting with them on an emotional level that I realized the impact it had on patient care. Here’s how empathy changed my approach to healthcare:

1. Seeing Beyond the Illness:
   Before practicing empathy, I saw patients as their medical conditions rather than as individuals. However, by connecting with patients on an emotional level, I began to see the person behind the illness. I realized that every patient had a unique story and that I had the power to make a difference in their lives.
2. Building Trust:
   As an EMS provider, building trust with patients is critical to providing effective care. I found that demonstrating empathy helped me build trust with patients quickly. Patients who felt that I understood their concerns were more likely to trust my medical advice and follow through with treatment.
3. Improving Patient Outcomes:
   Empathy can lead to better patient outcomes by allowing healthcare providers to provide personalized care that meets the unique needs of each patient. By understanding patients’ emotional and physical needs, I was able to provide more effective care and improve patient outcomes.
4. Enhancing Communication:
   Empathy can enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients. By listening to patients’ concerns and taking their perspectives into account, I was able to communicate more effectively and provide more targeted care.
5. Finding Fulfillment in My Work:
   Practicing empathy helped me find greater fulfillment in my work as an EMS provider. By connecting with patients on an emotional level, I felt that I was making a real difference in their lives. It helped me find greater meaning and purpose in my work.
   In conclusion, empathy is not just an important part of healthcare, it’s a game-changer. My experience as an EMS provider taught me that the human connection is a critical component of effective patient care. By practicing empathy, healthcare providers can build trust, improve patient outcomes, enhance communication, and find greater fulfillment in their work. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
   – Justin

Healthcare is an ever-evolving industry, and healthcare providers, including EMS providers, medical assistants, and physicians, must stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and trends. Continuing education is an essential part of professional development in healthcare. Here’s why:

1. 1. Staying Current with Industry Changes:
      Healthcare is a rapidly changing industry, with new treatments, technologies, and guidelines emerging regularly. Continuing education helps healthcare providers stay current with the latest advancements and ensure that they are providing the best possible care to their patients.
   2. Meeting Licensure and Certification Requirements:
      Many healthcare providers are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their licensure or certification. Failing to meet these requirements can result in disciplinary action or even loss of licensure, which can be devastating for healthcare providers.
   3. Improving Patient Outcomes:
      Continuing education can lead to improved patient outcomes by providing healthcare providers with new skills, knowledge, and techniques. This can result in better diagnoses, treatments, and overall patient care.
   4. Enhancing Career Opportunities:
      Healthcare providers who invest in continuing education may have more opportunities for career advancement or specialization. This can lead to increased job satisfaction, better pay, and a more fulfilling career.
   5. Networking and Collaboration:
      Continuing education courses provide opportunities for healthcare providers to network and collaborate with peers. This can lead to new insights, ideas, and partnerships that can benefit both patients and healthcare providers.
      Continuing education is an essential part of professional development in healthcare. EMS providers, medical assistants, and physicians who stay current with industry changes, meet licensure and certification requirements, improve patient outcomes, enhance career opportunities, and network with peers can provide the best possible care to their patients and achieve long-term success in their careers.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers have physically demanding jobs that require strength, stamina, and agility. EMS providers need to be in good physical condition to perform their job duties safely and effectively. Here are some reasons why fitness is essential for EMS providers:

Job Performance:
EMS providers need to be able to perform physically demanding tasks, such as lifting and carrying patients, performing CPR, and moving equipment. Fitness is essential for these tasks, ensuring that EMS providers can perform their job duties safely and effectively.

Injury Prevention:
EMS providers are at risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries due to the physical demands of their job. Regular exercise and physical conditioning can help prevent injuries by building strength, improving flexibility, and reducing the risk of strains and sprains.

Mental Health:
Physical fitness is also essential for mental health. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, all of which are common issues for EMS providers due to the nature of their job.

Longevity:
EMS providers who maintain good physical fitness are more likely to have long and healthy careers. Good physical condition can reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, that could limit an EMS provider’s ability to perform their job duties.

Patient Safety:
EMS providers who are physically fit are better equipped to provide safe and effective care to their patients. Physical fitness allows EMS providers to react quickly in emergency situations and to provide safe patient transfers and transport.

Physical fitness is essential for EMS providers to perform their job duties safely and effectively, prevent injuries, promote mental health, maintain longevity in their careers, and ensure patient safety. By prioritizing fitness and healthy lifestyle choices, EMS providers can improve their own health and well-being while also providing the best possible care to their patients.

As an EMS provider, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of safe driving when responding to emergencies. Driving an ambulance or emergency vehicle is vastly different from driving a personal vehicle, and it’s essential for EMS providers to understand the unique challenges and dangers of emergency vehicle driving. Here’s why safe driving is not just important, but life-saving, in EMS:

1. 1. Patient Safety:
      As EMS providers, our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our patients. Safe driving practices ensure that patients are transported to the hospital quickly and efficiently, without any additional risks or dangers.
   2. EMS Provider Safety:
      Driving an emergency vehicle can be dangerous, especially when responding to emergencies in high-pressure situations. Safe driving practices help ensure the safety of EMS providers, preventing injuries or fatalities for both providers and others on the road.
   3. Efficient Response:
      Time is of the essence when responding to emergencies, but this must be balanced with safe driving practices. Safe driving allows EMS providers to arrive at the scene of an emergency quickly and efficiently, without compromising the safety of themselves or others on the road.
   4. Personal Experience:
      As an EMS provider, I have experienced firsthand the importance of safe driving. I have witnessed accidents and near-misses on the road, and I know that the lives of both EMS providers and patients can be put in danger by unsafe driving practices.
   5. Community Impact:
      The safety and well-being of our communities depend on EMS providers arriving quickly and safely to the scene of emergencies. Safe driving practices can help promote a positive image of EMS providers and the vital work they do in the community, ultimately improving community safety and well-being.
      By prioritizing safe driving practices, we can provide the best possible care to our patients while ensuring the safety of ourselves and others on the road.

Communication is an essential part of healthcare, yet it’s often overlooked. Whether you’re an EMS provider, medical assistant, or physician, effective communication can make all the difference in patient care. Here’s why communication is so important in healthcare:

1. Building Trust with Patients:
   When patients feel that their healthcare provider is listening to them and taking their concerns seriously, they are more likely to trust their provider and follow their recommendations. Effective communication helps build trust with patients and promotes a positive patient-provider relationship.
2. Improving Patient Outcomes:
   Effective communication can lead to better patient outcomes. When healthcare providers take the time to explain diagnoses, treatments, and medications in a way that patients can understand, patients are more likely to adhere to their treatment plan and take their medications as prescribed. This can result in better health outcomes and improved quality of life for patients.
3. Reducing Medical Errors:
   Miscommunication is a common cause of medical errors. By improving communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as between healthcare providers themselves, medical errors can be reduced. This can help prevent adverse events, improve patient safety, and ultimately save lives.
4. Facilitating Teamwork:
   Effective communication is essential for teamwork in healthcare. Whether it’s communicating patient information between healthcare providers or coordinating care across different departments, teamwork requires clear and concise communication.
5. Improving Patient Satisfaction:
   Patients who feel that their healthcare providers are communicating effectively are more likely to be satisfied with their care. This can lead to positive reviews, increased referrals, and a better reputation for healthcare providers and organizations.
   By improving communication with patients and between healthcare providers, we can build trust, improve patient outcomes, reduce medical errors, facilitate teamwork, and improve patient satisfaction.

Online learning has become a popular mode of education in recent times, but it’s not always easy to stay motivated and focused when studying alone. The lack of structure and face-to-face interaction can lead to distractions, making it difficult to stay engaged in your online classes. Here are some practical tips to help you stay focused and engaged in your online learning experience:

1. Create a Personalized Study Plan: Create a personalized study plan that works for you, taking into consideration your preferred learning style and the structure of the course. Break down the course content into manageable chunks and set realistic study goals for each session.
2. Use Active Recall Techniques: Active recall techniques such as summarizing, creating mind maps, and using flashcards can help you retain information better and keep you engaged in the learning process.
3. Interact with Your Instructor and Peers: Interact with your instructor and peers regularly to get feedback and discuss course concepts. You can use discussion forums, emails, or video chats to communicate with them.
4. Use Multimedia Resources: Using multimedia resources such as videos, podcasts, and interactive simulations can make the learning experience more engaging and interesting.
5. Take Regular Breaks: Taking regular breaks can help you recharge and stay focused. Plan to take a break every hour or so and use the time to stretch, do some light exercises, or take a short walk.
6. Eliminate Distractions: Eliminate distractions by turning off notifications on your phone, closing unnecessary tabs on your computer, and creating a quiet study environment.
7. Experiment with Study Techniques: Experiment with different study techniques such as the Feynman technique, the Cornell note-taking method, or the SQ3R method to find what works best for you.
8. Join Study Groups: Join online study groups or form your own with classmates. Collaborating with peers can make the learning process more interactive and enjoyable.
9. Get Enough Sleep: Getting enough sleep is crucial for staying focused and alert during online classes. Create a sleep schedule that works for you and stick to it.
10. Reward Yourself: Reward yourself after achieving your study goals or completing a challenging task. This can help motivate you and make the learning experience more fun.

By following these practical tips, you can stay engaged and focused throughout your online classes, and achieve your learning goals with confidence.

Taking a gap year before medical school can be a great opportunity to gain valuable experiences and strengthen your medical school application. One of the best ways to do this is by working in a healthcare setting as an EMT, medical assistant, or ER technician. Here’s why:

1. Gain Hands-on Experience in Patient Care:
   Working in a healthcare setting can provide you with valuable hands-on experience in patient care, allowing you to develop your clinical skills and gain a better understanding of the medical field. As an EMT or medical assistant, you’ll have the opportunity to work directly with patients, providing emergency care, taking vital signs, and performing other clinical duties. As an ER technician, you’ll work alongside physicians and nurses in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, gaining valuable experience in emergency medical services.
2. Demonstrate Your Commitment to the Medical Profession:
   Working in a healthcare setting demonstrates your commitment to the medical profession and your desire to make a positive impact on the world. Medical schools are looking for applicants who are passionate about medicine and who have a track record of working to improve the health and well-being of others.
3. Develop Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills:
   Working in a healthcare setting requires quick thinking and problem-solving skills, as you’ll need to make effective decisions in emergency situations. These skills are essential for success in medical school and as a physician.
4. Build Relationships with Healthcare Professionals:
   Working as an EMT, medical assistant, or ER technician allows you to build strong relationships with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and paramedics. These connections can be valuable when applying to medical school, as they can provide you with letters of recommendation and mentorship.
5. Increase Your Chances of Being Accepted into Medical School:
   Having experience working in a healthcare setting can give you a competitive edge when applying to medical school. It demonstrates your commitment to the medical profession, your ability to handle stressful situations, and your dedication to serving others.
   Consider pursuing one of these healthcare roles during your gap year to give yourself a competitive edge in the medical school application process.