In EMS there is one thing we can all agree on, the fragility of life. On average, each of us has roughly 4,000 weeks in a lifetime. To make the most of this finite amount of time and become the best EMS provider possible, we must develop the ability to self-reflect—a skill that promotes personal accountability, fosters personal growth, and most importantly, ensures high-quality patient care. To illustrate this point, let’s consider a real-world example of how a lack of self-reflection can affect the operational efficiency at a local EMS agency.
Imagine you’re wrapping up a grueling 48-hour shift when the tones drop an hour before shift change. Your shift will be the first to implement a new medication restocking procedure that went into effect at midnight. You walk into the ER to restock using the new system, having received minimal guidance on the new process. You return to the station at the end of your shift, your supervisor arrives, and you voice your dissatisfaction regarding the lack of leadership and clear communication about the rollout. Instead of accepting responsibility, your supervisor deflects blame, attributing the confusion to poor communication with the pharmacy. When you explain the supervisor’s accountability for this oversight, they respond defensively, questioning whether the other agency you work for has figured it out—in an attempt to justify their personal deficiencies and doubling down on their unwillingness to accept accountability.
The strongest prehospital EMS providers are those who master the art of self-reflection—turning inward to refine their vision, challenge their assumptions, and growing with humility. Often, a lack of this ability is evident in EMS providers who view feedback as a personal attack, frequently shifting blame onto others or external circumstances. Providers with narcissistic attitudes often demonstrate little empathy for how their actions affect others, while those who struggle with emotional intelligence may misinterpret feedback as hostility rather than guidance. EMS providers who fear vulnerability frequently deflect discussions about performance with sarcasm, and those who are overworked and stressed often use the excuse, “I don’t have time,” to avoid self-reflection. Let’s discuss some steps that will help us develop and hone our self-reflection skills.
Start by regularly asking yourself after each call, What could I have done better? Additionally, set aside time each week to reflect on your decisions and interactions with others. Begin recognizing situations that make you defensive, frustrated, or anxious, and ask yourself, Why am I reacting this way? Reframe mistakes as lessons rather than failures. Don’t allow yourself to make excuses—focus instead on how you can improve.
Embracing self-reflection can be a transformative process. When we continuously evaluate our actions and responses, not only will we grow personally and professionally but also enhance the quality of care we provide to patients. The journey toward becoming a reflective EMS provider is one worth taking—not only for your benefit but for the communities and lives we serve.