Paramedics Meaning and Definition
Paramedics
Pronunciation
/ˌpærəˈmɛdɪks/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A trained medical professional who provides emergency medical care and transportation to patients in acute medical conditions.
Examples
- The paramedics arrived quickly and began treating the injured hiker.
- Paramedics play a critical role in responding to emergency situations.
- The paramedics carefully loaded the patient onto the ambulance.
- Paramedics work closely with emergency room staff to ensure seamless patient care.
- The paramedics administered oxygen and medication to the patient.
- Paramedics provide critical care during transport to the hospital.
Synonyms
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Medic
Antonyms
- Doctor
- Nurse
Etymology
The word “paramedic” comes from the Greek words “para,” meaning “beside,” and “iatrikos,” meaning “healing.” It was first used in the late 19th century to describe medical professionals who provided emergency care alongside physicians.
Usage Notes
In everyday language, “paramedics” is often used interchangeably with “EMT,” but technically, a paramedic is a more advanced level of training and certification.
Cultural References
Paramedics have been featured in various TV shows and movies, such as “Emergency!” and “9-1-1.”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The phrase “paramedic response” is often used to describe the rapid and skilled care provided in emergency situations.
Related Words or Phrases
Related to paramedics are other medical professionals, such as EMTs, nurses, and doctors, who work together to provide comprehensive patient care.
Collocations
Common collocations with paramedics include “ambulance,” “emergency,” “hospital,” and “patient.”
Frequency of Use
The term “paramedics” is commonly used in medical and emergency response contexts, with a frequency of around 10% in healthcare-related texts.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “paramedics” include “paramedics” (without the apostrophe), “paramedics,” and “paramidecs.”