Aside from Blazing Saddles, Top Gun is probably one of my favorite movies of all time (as well as being a huge inspiration for me to apply to and attend my first semester of college at the United States Naval Academy).
At the beginning of the movie, there’s a scene that I think we need to see more of in EMS. After the encounter with the (fictional) MiG-28, Cougar tells his commander, “I’m holding on too tight. I’ve lost the edge, sir.” He then turns in his wings. In short, he showed an incredible sense of personal integrity and professionalism in recognizing that he was no longer the best of the best.
At the risk of contributing to the perception that EMS “eats its own,” that’s something I’d like to see more of EMS. Sometimes, it’s time to recognize that either temporarily or permanently, you’ve lost the edge and it’s time to step back from a role where you’re entrusted with a patient’s well being. Whether it’s burnout, a lack of confidence, or a lack of ability, being a real patient advocate means that you also have to know when it’s time to step away.
I’d have a lot more respect for a former medic who stepped away than so many people who remain in EMS past the point of burnout, seeing it as another job, and not recognizing that it’s a privilege to be entrusted with patient care. Of course, this leads into the fact that we need career tracks in EMS. But that’s another topic for another day.
