Investigating Paramedic Student Professional Identity

Johnston, Tania; Bilton, Natalia

doi:10.33151/ajp.17.759

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…This might stem from spending such long shifts, often between 12 to 24 h, together. As also noted in our findings, a strong sense of professional identity seemed to shape personal pride in being a paramedic [54]. These may well function as jobrelated resources towards thriving at work, especially if combined with a high degree of support and psychological safety within the job community [55].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources in Finnish emergency medical services: a qualitative study

Ericsson

Lindström

Rudman

et al. 2022

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background Paramedics’ fatigue is rising. Stress factors show increased risk for burnout, fatigue, leaving the profession, decreased performance and risk for patient safety. Meanwhile, paramedics’ strong community of practice, autonomy and a sense of professional respect are important factors in forming psychological resilience. We aimed to explore Finnish paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources. Methods Our study design was descriptive, inductive with a constructivist approach. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we analyse open-ended questions, from a web-based survey and essays written by Finnish paramedic masters-degree students. The study followed the SRQR checklist. Results We identified paramedics’ job demands as stress from a high workload, environmental factors and emotional burden. Performance expectations and a sense of inadequacy were further noted, as well as an organizational culture of hardiness, presenting lack of support and sense of inequality. Paramedics’ job resources were pressure management strategies, which were expressed as positive coping mechanisms, agency to affect workload and professional self-actualization, expressed as psychologically safe work community, professional pride and internal drive to professional development. Conclusions Finnish paramedics exhibit resources and demands related to uncertainty and emotional burden as well as cultural hardiness and psychological safety in communities. Patient or public contribution This study was done based on survey data collected and analysed by the authors. No patient or public contribution was utilized for this study.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources in Finnish emergency medical services: a qualitative study

Ericsson

Lindström

Rudman

et al. 2022

BMC Health Serv Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Current research suggests the number of females entering the workforce is higher than their male counterparts. 36,37 Perhaps the disparity in this sample is more related to who completed the survey and their roles and/or seniority, as historically males far outweighed females. 36,37 Over one quarter (26.3%) worked in management, education and research roles.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…36,37 Perhaps the disparity in this sample is more related to who completed the survey and their roles and/or seniority, as historically males far outweighed females. 36,37 Over one quarter (26.3%) worked in management, education and research roles. These roles tend to be filled by more senior paramedics rather than new graduates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Barriers and enablers to paramedicine research in Australasia – A cross-sectional survey

et al. 2023

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There has been exponential growth in paramedicine research activity and capacity over the last decade. With a strong academic culture emerging from its tertiary-based paramedicine education pathways, Australasia sits comfortably amongst the leading regions for paramedicine research. In the absence of clear paramedicine research priorities, there is concern that inadequate support infrastructure is in place to guide researchers, academics, paramedics, and policymakers within the profession to produce meaningful research capable of triggering change and advancement. The identification of paramedicine research priorities in Australasia, along with the barriers and enablers to research in this field, will prove invaluable to support the paramedicine profession, and improve healthcare systems, and patient outcomes in Australia and New Zealand. The study used a cross-sectional survey design which aimed to identify perceived barriers and enablers to the conduct of paramedicine research in Australasia and describe the demographic profiles and characteristics of respondents across professional, academic and research themes. Of the 341 respondents, 223 (65.4%) were male, 114 (33.4%) were female, and all geographical areas were represented. Approximately 60% of participants worked for a jurisdictional ambulance service in a clinical role. The median number of years of experience in paramedicine was 13 (IQR: 6, 24), with 52.8% having less than 15 years of experience. The analysis resulted in the identification of three themes for research barriers (system, process and human) and enablers, (work conditions, worker profile, and workplace). This study identifies the disconnect between stakeholders and the provision of resources such as funding, time, training, roles and data as major barriers to conducting paramedicine research. The ability or capacity of paramedics, as health professionals, to lead and undertake their own research was not questioned. The value of evidence-based research and autonomous paramedic-led research was identified as likely to empower future capacity within the profession.

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“…Professional attitudes, behaviours and appearance, both inside and outside the workplace, are all crucial components of an effective and unified healthcare unit. How these are developed have been suggested to be influenced by professional socialisation and an establishment of professional identity through the growth of knowledge, practice, experience and professional role modelling (Trede; 2009 and Johnston and Bilton, 2020). Traits surrounding paramedicine image have likewise been identified as essential components of professionalism by previous research (Burford et al , 2013; Williams et al , 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The psychometric properties of the professionalism at work questionnaire for paramedicine students

Williams

2021

IJES

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PurposeIn the past several decades, there has been rapid advancement and improvement in Australasian paramedicine education and clinical standards. These advancements have also seen improvements in the professionalism of Australasian paramedicine. Therefore, having a valid and reliable paramedicine professionalism measure is important. This study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the modified Professionalism at Work Questionnaire (PWQ) with Australasian paramedicine studentsDesign/methodology/approachData from the PWQ were analysed using a principal component analysis (PCA) followed by orthogonal varimax rotation.FindingsA total of 479 paramedicine students from three Australasian universities completed the modified PWQ. PCA of the 72-items revealed 11 factors with eigenvalues above 1.5, accounting for 50.99% of the total variance. A total of 64 items were found with loadings greater than 0.40 and were used to describe the 11 factors: Professional attitude and behaviour, communication with others, professional identity, professional development, appearance and flexibility, organisational support, comparable professional status, pride in occupation, adherence to rules, responsibility in the workforce and concerns about appropriate use of resources.Practical implicationsResults from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides an important measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.Originality/valueResults from this study suggest that the modified 64-item PWQ can be used to measure professionalism in Australasian paramedicine student cohorts. The instrument encompassed many and varied aspects of the attributes and features that have been described as being essential to being a profession. The instrument provides a critical measurement tool for the paramedicine profession.

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Investigating Paramedic Student Professional Identity

Cited by 11 publications

References 33 publications

Paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources in Finnish emergency medical services: a qualitative study

Paramedics’ perceptions of job demands and resources in Finnish emergency medical services: a qualitative study

Barriers and enablers to paramedicine research in Australasia – A cross-sectional survey

The psychometric properties of the professionalism at work questionnaire for paramedicine students

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