Factors Affecting the Education of Pre-Employment Paramedic Students during the Clinical Practicum

McCall, Louise; Wray, Natalie; Lord, Bill

doi:10.33151/ajp.7.4.189

Cited by 18 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…Students and preceptors also describe a mismatch of expectations around the ambulance clinical placement (12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), leading to misunderstandings on both sides. Other barriers to a positive learning environment include frustration when paramedic preceptors are not aware of students' arrival or their learning requirements, lack of communication between the university and ambulance service, poor mentorship and education by paramedic preceptors, and inadequate support after critical events (15).…”

Section: Ambulance Clinical Placementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student experiences of a paramedic clinical facilitator model during ambulance clinical placements: a qualitative study

Langford¹,

Pearce²,

Lenson³

2020

Preprint

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Introduction:Numerous challenges can impede the quality of ambulance service clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students. Inspired by positive results from a nursing facilitator model, this study reports on a collaboration between an Australian university and ambulance service that piloted a paramedic clinical facilitator for undergraduate paramedic students during their ambulance clinical placements. The objective of this study is to describe the experiences of a clinical facilitator model for undergraduate paramedicine students during ambulance clinical placements.Methods:Two focus groups with a total of 11 paramedic student participants were conducted, as well as two semi-structured interviews with a total of three paramedic preceptors. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Thematic analysis was used to code and identify themes in the data.Results:Three broad, over-arching themes arise from the data; 1.) Increased educational opportunities, 2.) Improved clinical placement management, and 3.) Greater student support and welfare. Both students and paramedic preceptors felt that the paramedic clinical facilitator model improved the quality of ambulance clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students. Conclusion:This study suggests that a paramedic clinical facilitator model may improve the quality of ambulance service clinical placements for undergraduate paramedicine students, leading to a more positive learning experience. Universities and ambulance services could consider implementing a paramedic facilitator model for ambulance clinical placements.

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Section: Ambulance Clinical Placementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Student experiences of a paramedic clinical facilitator model during ambulance clinical placements: a qualitative study

Langford¹,

Pearce²,

Lenson³

2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This is a valid educational resource in the same sense as clinical simulations previously demonstrated as effective in paramedic education (15). Fluency in the language of the workplace can assist students to build rapport with clinical staff and this influences student learning in a positive way (7). This serves to improve student knowledge of expectations of them on clinical placements and grows confidence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Students report unproductive downtime, not being given the opportunity to participate in patient care, and a sometimes-unsupportive learning environment (6). To exacerbate this, the nature of the paramedic workplace means that placements vary significantly in their nature (6) and are therefore of inconsistent quality and value for students, resulting in highly variable learning experiences (7). University educators are therefore faced with the challenge of equipping students to maximise their learning in unreliable and dynamic environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Ambulance Response Trolleys (Cart): Preparing Students for the Paramedic Workplace

Clarkson

Gangell

2017

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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Introduction The curriculum of undergraduate paramedicine programs invariably includes clinical placement experiences. Engagement in learning in the workplace is however constrained by lack of familiarity with workplace cultural expectations. Strategies assisting students to understand workplace expectations have the potential to enhance engagement on placements and with workplace transition. This study examines whether one classroom practice initiative heightens students’ understanding of specific paramedic workplace expectations. Methods CART (a system developed to mimic equipment management strategies of the paramedic workplace) was introduced on one campus of an Australian university. Another university campus was selected as a comparison site and did not operate CART. CART campus students were assigned to a team and made responsible for maintaining and restocking all equipment utilised in practical classes, simulating strategies used within the paramedic workplace where a paramedic team shares responsibility for stocking and upkeep of equipment. Both cohorts completed a questionnaire exploring their experiences in the classroom and preparation for clinical placements. Results The CART system had a positive influence on the ability of students to collaborate within the classroom and become familiar with industry expectations around equipment management. This increased confidence with transition to learning within the workplace environment.Conclusion The CART strategy was effective in mimicking workplace practices and expectation and evidence indicated that CART can assist students with their ability to transition into a vocational environment.

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“…However, paramedics suggested that typically graduates lacked essential communication and interpersonal skills, on-road experience and (often) the maturity required to effectively navigate shift work and the professional role of a paramedic (5). Subsequent studies have highlighted the expectations, experiences and foundations of quality clinical placements for undergraduate paramedic students to prepare them for work readiness (4,(6)(7)(8)(9)(10) with recent literature advocating that interprofessional placements in diverse clinical settings are the key to improving undergraduate allied health student knowledge and both clinical and soft skills (2,6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Simulated Night Shift for Undergraduate Paramedicine Students: Lessons Learnt and the Perceived Value towards Learning

Miles

Hansen

Mills

2020

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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BackgroundEnsuring undergraduate healthcare students are work ready graduates who possess real-world experiences and realistic expectations of their professional environment is essential for Australian universities. This is becoming increasingly more difficult to accomplish with ongoing difficulties on sourcing appropriate clinical placement learning opportunities. We developed and piloted a simulated paramedic night shift investigating if undergraduate paramedic students perceived the experience to be realistic and to what extent they felt it contributed toward their learning.Methods A total of 24 undergraduate paramedic students were recruited to participate in a simulated 13-hour paramedic night shift held on university campus. Student satisfaction and perceived value towards learning was measured using an online survey the day after the simulation. Results 23 of 24 participants completed the online survey. Survey data suggested 22 participants felt the simulated night shift to be realistic of real-life paramedic practice, provided a valuable learning experience and should be made a mandatory component of undergraduate paramedicine curricula.Conclusion Given the difficulties associated with providing clinical placement opportunities for students and the perception among health professionals that on entering the workforce many graduates often lack the adaptability required to undertake shift-work and the professional role of a paramedic, educators should consider the merits of providing overnight simulated experiences to undergraduate students to better prepare and acclimatise students to overnight shift work.

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Factors Affecting the Education of Pre-Employment Paramedic Students during the Clinical Practicum

Cited by 18 publications

References 4 publications

Student experiences of a paramedic clinical facilitator model during ambulance clinical placements: a qualitative study

Student experiences of a paramedic clinical facilitator model during ambulance clinical placements: a qualitative study

Community Ambulance Response Trolleys (Cart): Preparing Students for the Paramedic Workplace

A Simulated Night Shift for Undergraduate Paramedicine Students: Lessons Learnt and the Perceived Value towards Learning

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