I Solemnly Swear to Uphold the Code of Ethics

Today in class, we had a special guest! A representative of the EMS service through which the majority of our class will be doing their field internship. He spoke with us a little bit about the dangers of blogging, and how much trouble a paramedic (or paramedic student) can get into if they're not careful about what they say.

Before I started this blog, I asked two people for their advice on it: our program director, and a lab assistant who's had some experience in EMS blogging. Having heard a lot about the dangers of blogging, I was initially hesitant to risk it myself, but after some self-deliberation, I finally decided that it was worth the risk.

Why is it worth the risk? Because EMS grows through interaction. After seeing all of the positive interaction taking place in the EMS 2.0 movement, especially with bloggers such as Mark Glencorse of the U.K. and Justin Schorr of San Francisco, I realized that THIS is vital to EMS. Just like EMS conferences, seminars, and continuing education, by sharing our experiences, thoughts and ideas, we help the entirety of EMS to grow and improve. Thanks to the internet, paramedics and EMTs can now communicate with one another on broader spectrum than ever before. This is the future of EMS, and I want to be part of it.

Even so, we mustn't ever forget what Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first preached over two thousand years ago:

"All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal."

There you have it. Right there, straight from the father of medicine, spelling it right out for all generations to remember: Do not reveal that which ought not be spread abroad." It's a simple message, but one that can make the difference between a paramedic and an ex-paramedic.

So we've got the nice, clear-cut meat and potatoes message--just what we no-nonsense EMS personnel like--but let's go against our nature and complicate things a bit. Just a bit, I promise. Here is a slightly expanded, slightly updated version of that same message, designed specifically for bloggers by the Healthcare Blogger Code of Ethics (http://medbloggercode.com/). It was designed to give bloggers a clear set of guidelines they can show employers, patients and others about the nature of medical blogging.


1. Clear representation of perspective – readers must understand the training and overall perspective of the author of a blog. Certainly bloggers can have opinions on subjects outside of their training, and these opinions may be true, but readers must have a place to look on a blog to get an idea of where this author is coming from. This also encompasses the idea of the distinction between advertisement and content. This does not preclude anonymous blogging, but it asks that even anonymous bloggers share the
professional perspective from which they are blogging.

2. Confidentiality – Bloggers must respect the nature of the relationship between patient and medical professionals and the clear need for confidentiality. All discussions of patients must be done in a way in which patients’ identity cannot be inferred. A patient’s name can only be revealed in a way that is in keeping with the laws that govern that practice (HIPPA, Informed Consent).

3. Commercial Disclosure – the presence or absence of commercial ties of the author must be made clear for the readers. If the author is using their blog to pitch a product, it must be clear that they are doing that. Any ties to device manufacturer and/or pharmaceutical company ties must be clearly stated.

4. Reliability of Information – citing sources when appropriate and changing inaccuracies when they are pointed out
Courtesy – Bloggers should not engage in personal attacks, nor should they allow their commenters to do so. Debate and discussion of ideas is one of the major purposes of blogging. While the ideas people hold should be criticized and even confronted, the overall purpose is a discussion of ideas, not those who hold ideas.


In conclusion, if you have a blog, great! Make the most of it, and take advantage of that incredible opportunity to share your story with other EMS professionals across the globe. Just make sure that you don't forget the very first lesson taught in every EMS courses: be safe.


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BSI, the scene is safe.