Trained, Ready but Under-Utilised: Using Student Paramedics during a Pandemic

Whitfield, Steve; MacQuarrie, Alexander; Boyle, Malcolm

doi:10.33151/ajp.17.799

Cited by 11 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…University develops a sense of community and provides a platform for immense social growth and expression, both of which are vital to student success (5,6). For paramedicine students, teamwork and positive community engagement is a fundamental aspect of their learning journey that increases their employability (7). With in-person learning halted due to COVID-19, students, particularly first-year undergraduates, began to feel isolated and anxious (6).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncharted Waters: The Effects of Covid-19 on Student Paramedics

Whitfield

Perkins

Kelly

et al. 2021

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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Introduction The effect of COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns on education has been discussed broadly in both the media and among academics, however its true effects on paramedicine students and their ability to attend in-person lectures, skill sessions and clinical placements has not been widely researched. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on a group of paramedicine students at an Australian university. Methods A cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of first and second year paramedicine students was undertaken to explore their perceived experiences of COVID-19 through both qualitative and quantitative responses. Results A total of 83 paramedicine students from Griffith University in Queensland participated in the survey, demonstrating an 84.7% response rate. Of the participants, 78.3% (n=65) disagreed that online workshop sessions were as valuable as face-to-face sessions. Similarly, the majority of participants (61.5%, n=51) disagreed that online lectures and tutorials were as beneficial as in-person equivalents. A further 61.4% (n=51) of students agreed that COVID-19-associated lockdowns had negatively impacted their ability to formulate strong personal relationships that are important for university, however 78.3% of students agreed that communication platforms assisted in maintaining some form of social interaction. Conclusion The results from this study demonstrate that the educational and social impacts of COVID-19 on paramedicine students were highly diverse, and were contingent on several factors including but not limited to: year of study, learning style, previously established social connections and extenuating life circumstances.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uncharted Waters: The Effects of Covid-19 on Student Paramedics

Whitfield

Perkins

Kelly

et al. 2021

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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“…The sense of community that is developed at university is vital in providing a sense of connectedness for both new and continuing students (7). Creating a positive environment built around collaborative group-focussed learning similar to the high levels of teamwork required in paramedicine is vital for student paramedics as they progress through their learning journey (8). The ability to interact with each other in practical sessions and simulations provides the chance to form strong bonds with peers, ultimately creating a more workforce-ready cohort of students.…”

Section: Connectiveness and Communitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pandemic Pupils: Covid-19 and the Impact on Student Paramedics

Perkins

Kelly

Dumbleton

et al. 2020

Australasian Journal of Paramedicine

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“…A large study from Canada demonstrated that 77.7% of university nursing students were willing to volunteer and work during a pandemic [ 16 ], and in Australia paramedic students expressed a willingness to participate in front-line clinical work during the COVID-19 pandemic [ 17 ]. Still, there is a scarcity of literature evaluating both willingness and involvement among paramedic students’ in public health emergencies [ 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A retrospective survey study of paramedic students’ exposure to SARS-CoV-2, participation in the COVID-19 pandemic response, and health-related quality of life

Häikiö

Andersen

Bakkerud

et al. 2021

Scand J Trauma Resusc Emerg Med

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Background Healthcare workers have reported increased anxiety while working in hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of healthcare students in a health crisis has been discussed among clinicians and researchers. The simultaneous international shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) during the first wave of the pandemic potentially exposed healthcare workers and students to the virus during their work and clinical training. Our aim was therefore to evaluate the extent to which paramedic students in Oslo, Norway, were exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and were involved in voluntary and/or paid healthcare-related work. An evaluation was also made of the students’ COVID-19-related symptoms and of their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods Paramedic students (n = 155) at Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway, were invited to complete an online survey five months after the first cases of COVID-19 were detected. The university was situated in the epicenter of the pandemic in Norway. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent sample t-tests, and linear regression analysis. Results Of the 109 respondents (70.3%), 40 worked in patient-related healthcare work. Of those, seven (17.5%) students experienced insufficient supplies of PPE, six (15.0%) participated in aerosol-generating procedures without adequate PPE, and nine (22.5%) experienced insufficient time to don PPE. Seventy-five (70.1%) students experienced no COVID-19-related symptoms, and no students tested positive for COVID-19. HRQoL was scored 0.92 (sd 0.12), which was significantly higher than for the general population before the pandemic (p = 0.002). Students continued with their education and participated in a variety of pandemic-related emergency tasks during the first wave of the pandemic. Conclusions Paramedic students were valuable contributors to the national pandemic response. Despite potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in unpredictable emergency settings with limited supplies of personal protection equipment, no students tested positive for COVID-19. Their health-related quality of life remained high. Students’ participation and utilization in similar health crises should be considered in future health crises.

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Trained, Ready but Under-Utilised: Using Student Paramedics during a Pandemic

Abstract: The aim of this commentary is to outline a case for student paramedics as a potential solution to the operational resource issues ambulances services and other healthcare institutions are expected to experience during high demand situations, such as pandemics.

Cited by 11 publications

References 2 publications

Uncharted Waters: The Effects of Covid-19 on Student Paramedics

Uncharted Waters: The Effects of Covid-19 on Student Paramedics

Pandemic Pupils: Covid-19 and the Impact on Student Paramedics

A retrospective survey study of paramedic students’ exposure to SARS-CoV-2, participation in the COVID-19 pandemic response, and health-related quality of life

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