Introduction This study aimed to identify and assess the factors, motivations and influences on undergraduate students’ choice of paramedicine for their studies and ultimately a career in paramedicine. Methods A survey was available to 205 first-year Bachelor of Paramedic Science students to assess background, motivational factors and influences on choosing their undergraduate studies. Results The response rate to an online survey distributed to 205 students yielded an almost 25% response rate (n=51). Altruistic factors were the main reason students chose to study for a degree in paramedic science and ultimately a career in paramedicine. Although essential, extrinsic, sociodemographic and interpersonal factors were less motivating factors. Despite other research suggesting media coverage leads to increased student enrolments, the media coverage of paramedics as frontline health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ‘lights and sirens’ effect of ambulance/paramedic reality television shows as influences were not highly regarded. Conclusion The altruistic factors influencing career choices in paramedicine are generally similar across the healthcare industry. In this review, the motivating nature of extrinsic, interpersonal and sociodemographic factors was generally inconclusive. However, these factors may well apply to a university's initial recruitment strategy and as a factor for ambulance services to consider when identifying the motivating factor of a student paramedic to join the workforce.
{"title":"Motivating Factors Influencing Student Paramedic Choice of Paramedicine as a Career","authors":"A. Weber, S. Delport, Andrew Hodgetts","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.975","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction This study aimed to identify and assess the factors, motivations and influences on undergraduate students’ choice of paramedicine for their studies and ultimately a career in paramedicine. Methods A survey was available to 205 first-year Bachelor of Paramedic Science students to assess background, motivational factors and influences on choosing their undergraduate studies. Results The response rate to an online survey distributed to 205 students yielded an almost 25% response rate (n=51). Altruistic factors were the main reason students chose to study for a degree in paramedic science and ultimately a career in paramedicine. Although essential, extrinsic, sociodemographic and interpersonal factors were less motivating factors. Despite other research suggesting media coverage leads to increased student enrolments, the media coverage of paramedics as frontline health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the ‘lights and sirens’ effect of ambulance/paramedic reality television shows as influences were not highly regarded. Conclusion The altruistic factors influencing career choices in paramedicine are generally similar across the healthcare industry. In this review, the motivating nature of extrinsic, interpersonal and sociodemographic factors was generally inconclusive. However, these factors may well apply to a university's initial recruitment strategy and as a factor for ambulance services to consider when identifying the motivating factor of a student paramedic to join the workforce.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"51 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129498160","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction Paramedicine is at a critical juncture in its history as a healthcare profession. The evolution of paramedic practice in Australia over recent decades has culminated in its inclusion as a nationally registered, accredited, healthcare profession, while similar development is also occurring worldwide. Although paramedic education has developed over time, it is now the moment to determine whether existing educational approaches can adequately support its ongoing evolution as a profession. This article shares findings of a systematic, integrative review of characteristics of professions, allied health education and paramedic education literature. Methods Due to too little current research on approaches to paramedic education, the review aimed to distil essential requirements of professional education in general, and paramedic education in particular. This distillation served as an initial point of comparison with existing educational approaches in paramedicine. Literature was iteratively searched using PubMed, ScienceDirect and EBSCOhost megafile ultimate search engines, and was complemented with manual searches via professional networks, reference searches and Google Scholar. Results The literature review highlighted consistent themes relevant to paramedic education such as, the socio-political definition of a profession, methods for the identification of a profession, paramedicine as a distinct healthcare profession and the contemporary paramedic education framework. Conclusion Based on findings from this integrative review, we conclude that there is a potential misalignment between existing paramedic curricula and the educational scaffolding required to develop practicing paramedic professionals. We recommend further investigation of this potential misalignment as part of conceptualising an effective, quality, educational framework that is fit-for-purpose.
{"title":"The Role of Educational Theory in the Future Development of Paramedicine as a Profession: An Integrative Review","authors":"A. Bell, S. Hammer, Amy E. Seymour-Walsh","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.941","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.941","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction Paramedicine is at a critical juncture in its history as a healthcare profession. The evolution of paramedic practice in Australia over recent decades has culminated in its inclusion as a nationally registered, accredited, healthcare profession, while similar development is also occurring worldwide. Although paramedic education has developed over time, it is now the moment to determine whether existing educational approaches can adequately support its ongoing evolution as a profession. This article shares findings of a systematic, integrative review of characteristics of professions, allied health education and paramedic education literature. Methods Due to too little current research on approaches to paramedic education, the review aimed to distil essential requirements of professional education in general, and paramedic education in particular. This distillation served as an initial point of comparison with existing educational approaches in paramedicine. Literature was iteratively searched using PubMed, ScienceDirect and EBSCOhost megafile ultimate search engines, and was complemented with manual searches via professional networks, reference searches and Google Scholar. Results The literature review highlighted consistent themes relevant to paramedic education such as, the socio-political definition of a profession, methods for the identification of a profession, paramedicine as a distinct healthcare profession and the contemporary paramedic education framework. Conclusion Based on findings from this integrative review, we conclude that there is a potential misalignment between existing paramedic curricula and the educational scaffolding required to develop practicing paramedic professionals. We recommend further investigation of this potential misalignment as part of conceptualising an effective, quality, educational framework that is fit-for-purpose.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":" 424","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"113946781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Background Communication is important in pre-hospital emergencies and the faster and more accurately it is done, the more effective the treatment process will be. With the advancement of technology, a mobile phone system equipped with the Asayar smart program replaces paper methods. By creating an online connection between doctors, technicians and treatment centres, Asayar will increase the speed of the treatment and transfer of the patient to hospital. One of the most important challenges of this program is the interruption of internet connections and the reduction of internet speed. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the Asayar smart program on ambulance arrival time at the scene and compare it with paper methods. Methods A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in the city of Isfahan in Iran, with a sample number of 700 missions performed by the paper registration method in 2017, and 230 missions registered by Asayar program method in 2018. The Propensity score matching method was used to analyse the data. Results The findings of the study showed that the use of the Asayar smart program in the pre-hospital emergency department of Isfahan has reduced times for ambulance arrival to the scene. Conclusion Using the Asayar smart program in a pre-hospital emergency can increase patient coordination and management.
{"title":"Investigating the Effect of the Asayar Smart Program on Ambulance Arrival Time at the Scene","authors":"M. Ranjbar, M. Gaeeni, M. Parvaresh, A. Hamta","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.887","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.887","url":null,"abstract":"Background Communication is important in pre-hospital emergencies and the faster and more accurately it is done, the more effective the treatment process will be. With the advancement of technology, a mobile phone system equipped with the Asayar smart program replaces paper methods. By creating an online connection between doctors, technicians and treatment centres, Asayar will increase the speed of the treatment and transfer of the patient to hospital. One of the most important challenges of this program is the interruption of internet connections and the reduction of internet speed. This study was designed to investigate the effect of the Asayar smart program on ambulance arrival time at the scene and compare it with paper methods. Methods A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study in the city of Isfahan in Iran, with a sample number of 700 missions performed by the paper registration method in 2017, and 230 missions registered by Asayar program method in 2018. The Propensity score matching method was used to analyse the data. Results The findings of the study showed that the use of the Asayar smart program in the pre-hospital emergency department of Isfahan has reduced times for ambulance arrival to the scene. Conclusion Using the Asayar smart program in a pre-hospital emergency can increase patient coordination and management.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125325494","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michella Hill, B. Mills, S. Rogers, Leanne Vance, Peggy Dykstra, L. Holmes
Introduction University life can be daunting, especially for those transferring directly from high school. Previous research has found higher education students are at increased risk of mental health issues than the general population. Paramedic students have the usual concerns regarding study, in addition to the potential to be exposed to confronting emergency medical situations during clinical placements. The study aim was to examine whether the presence of a wellness dog had any impact on paramedicine undergraduate students self-reported emotional wellbeing. Methods A wellness dog (named ‘Watson’) was available on alternating weeks for 15 minutes at the beginning of lectures for three individual units. Each unit corresponded to a different year group of paramedic undergraduate students. A brief emotional experience scale was completed at the beginning of each lecture. Comparisons were made between Watson being present versus absent to gauge differences in students’ emotional wellness. Focus groups were run at the end of semester to further explore perceptions of Watson's impact on emotional wellbeing. Results A total of 89 participants were included in the study. Participant emotional wellbeing was found to be higher on ‘Watson present’ weeks compared to ‘Watson absent’ weeks (p<0.001). Focus group data strongly supported Watson's presence in clinical and non-clinical classes, improving self-reported wellbeing and cohort connectivity. Conclusion The presence of a wellness dog appears to have a beneficial impact on undergraduate paramedic students’ emotional wellbeing. Further research is required to explore whether the presence of a wellness dog affects physiological indicators of stress, attrition rates and class attendance.
{"title":"‘Watson’ the Wellness Dog: Impact of a Wellness Dog on Emotional Wellbeing in Undergraduate Paramedicine Students","authors":"Michella Hill, B. Mills, S. Rogers, Leanne Vance, Peggy Dykstra, L. Holmes","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.943","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.943","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction University life can be daunting, especially for those transferring directly from high school. Previous research has found higher education students are at increased risk of mental health issues than the general population. Paramedic students have the usual concerns regarding study, in addition to the potential to be exposed to confronting emergency medical situations during clinical placements. The study aim was to examine whether the presence of a wellness dog had any impact on paramedicine undergraduate students self-reported emotional wellbeing. Methods A wellness dog (named ‘Watson’) was available on alternating weeks for 15 minutes at the beginning of lectures for three individual units. Each unit corresponded to a different year group of paramedic undergraduate students. A brief emotional experience scale was completed at the beginning of each lecture. Comparisons were made between Watson being present versus absent to gauge differences in students’ emotional wellness. Focus groups were run at the end of semester to further explore perceptions of Watson's impact on emotional wellbeing. Results A total of 89 participants were included in the study. Participant emotional wellbeing was found to be higher on ‘Watson present’ weeks compared to ‘Watson absent’ weeks (p<0.001). Focus group data strongly supported Watson's presence in clinical and non-clinical classes, improving self-reported wellbeing and cohort connectivity. Conclusion The presence of a wellness dog appears to have a beneficial impact on undergraduate paramedic students’ emotional wellbeing. Further research is required to explore whether the presence of a wellness dog affects physiological indicators of stress, attrition rates and class attendance.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132048889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction The Bachelor Degree in Emergency Medical Care (BEMC) is a unique program in that students operate in both emergency care and rescue contexts, unlike international paramedic degree programs which focus only on emergency care. The learning activities associated with the rescue content are physically strenuous and therefore BEMC students need to be physically and mentally prepared to engage in diverse austere environments. Although South African BEMC programs have a common medical rescue curriculum, approaches to the training and assessment of physical preparedness vary between the institutions. The objective of this research was to explore the knowledge gap through the review of literature that describes the unique physical preparedness requirements in the field of emergency care education. Methods We conducted a scoping review in the form of a narrative literature review. Results Seventy-five (n) articles were initially identified, however, only four were relevant to the objective of this study. This highlighted the paucity of literature describing the unique physical fitness requirements of the BEMC program and the current challenges experienced by educators in the field. Conclusion While physical preparedness training exists in higher education institutes and there are assessments conducted at these higher education institutes, none of these assessment tools have yet been scientifically validated which creates a challenge for educators. The current knowledge gap within EMC education is therefore the absence of a scientifically validated task-oriented physical preparedness assessment tool which addresses the desired physical attributes and abilities of EMC students linked to the BEMC curriculum and associated learning experiences.
{"title":"Emergency Care Education in South Africa and the Unique Requirement of Physical Preparedness: A Scoping Review","authors":"Dagmar Muhlbauer, C. Vincent-Lambert, Y. Coopoo","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.878","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.878","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction The Bachelor Degree in Emergency Medical Care (BEMC) is a unique program in that students operate in both emergency care and rescue contexts, unlike international paramedic degree programs which focus only on emergency care. The learning activities associated with the rescue content are physically strenuous and therefore BEMC students need to be physically and mentally prepared to engage in diverse austere environments. Although South African BEMC programs have a common medical rescue curriculum, approaches to the training and assessment of physical preparedness vary between the institutions. The objective of this research was to explore the knowledge gap through the review of literature that describes the unique physical preparedness requirements in the field of emergency care education. Methods We conducted a scoping review in the form of a narrative literature review. Results Seventy-five (n) articles were initially identified, however, only four were relevant to the objective of this study. This highlighted the paucity of literature describing the unique physical fitness requirements of the BEMC program and the current challenges experienced by educators in the field. Conclusion While physical preparedness training exists in higher education institutes and there are assessments conducted at these higher education institutes, none of these assessment tools have yet been scientifically validated which creates a challenge for educators. The current knowledge gap within EMC education is therefore the absence of a scientifically validated task-oriented physical preparedness assessment tool which addresses the desired physical attributes and abilities of EMC students linked to the BEMC curriculum and associated learning experiences.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122410299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Objective The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between validated fitness parameters and an emergency rescue simulation (RS) circuit performed by emergency care providers (ECPs). Methods A cross-sectional study was selected to determine the relationship between the fitness tests and the RS. Twenty ECPs in the North West province of South Africa participated in the study. Demographic data were collected, followed by testing of anthropometric characteristics and field fitness tests measuring muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity and flexibility. Thereafter, participants had to complete a RS circuit. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between variables. Differences in age, gender and body mass index formed part of the descriptive statistics. A test-retest reliability method was applied to evaluate the reliability of the RS. Results Significant correlations were found between the RS and the 250 m shuttle run (r=0.83; p<0.01), flexed-arm hang test (r=-0.59; p<0.01), Cooper 12-minute test (r=-0.56; p<0.01), and the maximum push-up test (r=-0.51; p<0.05). Conclusion Findings demonstrate a possible association between aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance and ECP performance in an occupational task-related RS. Improved performance in these specific fitness areas may enable ECPs to be better prepared for the physical demands of their occupation. The RS may also be used as a tool to assess job (physical) preparedness of qualified ECPs during their recruitment, but this requires further validation.
目的本研究的目的是检验经验证的适应度参数与急诊护理人员(ECPs)实施的紧急救援模拟(RS)电路之间的关系。方法采用横断面研究方法，对南非西北省20名ECPs进行体能测试与RS的关系研究。收集人口统计数据，随后进行人体测量特征测试和实地体能测试，测量肌肉力量、肌肉耐力、有氧能力、无氧能力和柔韧性。之后，参与者必须完成一个RS循环。采用Pearson相关系数评价变量间的关系。年龄、性别和身体质量指数的差异构成了描述性统计的一部分。采用重测信度法对RS进行信度评估。结果RS与250m穿梭跑存在显著相关(r=0.83;P <0.01)，屈臂悬挂试验(r=-0.59;p<0.01)， Cooper 12分钟检验(r=-0.56;P <0.01)，最大俯卧撑测试(r=-0.51;p < 0.05)。结论:研究结果表明，在与职业任务相关的RS中，有氧能力、无氧能力、肌肉力量、肌肉耐力和ECP表现之间可能存在关联。提高这些特定健身领域的表现可以使ECP更好地为其职业的身体需求做好准备。RS也可用作评估合格ecp在招聘期间的工作(身体)准备情况的工具，但这需要进一步验证。
{"title":"Correlation between Fitness Parameters and An Occupational Rescue Simulation among Emergency Care Providers in North West Province, South Africa: A Pilot Study","authors":"Solomon Mthombeni, Y. Coopoo, H. Noorbhai","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.862","url":null,"abstract":"Objective The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between validated fitness parameters and an emergency rescue simulation (RS) circuit performed by emergency care providers (ECPs). Methods A cross-sectional study was selected to determine the relationship between the fitness tests and the RS. Twenty ECPs in the North West province of South Africa participated in the study. Demographic data were collected, followed by testing of anthropometric characteristics and field fitness tests measuring muscular strength, muscular endurance, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity and flexibility. Thereafter, participants had to complete a RS circuit. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between variables. Differences in age, gender and body mass index formed part of the descriptive statistics. A test-retest reliability method was applied to evaluate the reliability of the RS. Results Significant correlations were found between the RS and the 250 m shuttle run (r=0.83; p<0.01), flexed-arm hang test (r=-0.59; p<0.01), Cooper 12-minute test (r=-0.56; p<0.01), and the maximum push-up test (r=-0.51; p<0.05). Conclusion Findings demonstrate a possible association between aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, muscular strength, muscular endurance and ECP performance in an occupational task-related RS. Improved performance in these specific fitness areas may enable ECPs to be better prepared for the physical demands of their occupation. The RS may also be used as a tool to assess job (physical) preparedness of qualified ECPs during their recruitment, but this requires further validation.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126259951","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahmoud T. Alwidyan, Alaa O Oteir, Anas A. Mohammad, B. Williams
Introduction The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has overwhelmed healthcare systems and exposed healthcare providers (and their families) to a high risk of infection and death. This study aimed to assess the willingness of healthcare providers in Jordan to report for duty and provide care to COVID-19 patients. Methods An online questionnaire was developed including questions about demographics, willingness to report to work and provide care to COVID-19 patients, and potential associated factors. Results A total of 253 participants completed the survey (mean age 33.8 years, 58.6% male). The sample included physicians (14.9%), nurses (61.1%) and paramedics (23%). Most participants (96.4%) were willing to come to work during the pandemic, although only 64.7% showed a willingness to provide care to COVID-19 patients. Being male (OR 3.21; 95% CI: 1.75-5.90) or having adequate training on COVID-19 (OR 5.16; 95% CI: 2.32-11.46) were the major predictors for willingness to care for COVID-19 patients, whereas concerns for family safety (OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.47) or lack of information about COVID-19 (OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23-0.80) were the major predicting barriers for willingness to care for COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Although most participants were willing to report for duty, less than two-thirds were willing to care for COVID-19 patients. Being male and receiving training are associated with willingness; whereas concern for family is associated with less willingness to care for COVID-19 patients.
{"title":"Are Healthcare Professionals in Jordan Willing to Work and Provide Care for Covid-19 Patients?","authors":"Mahmoud T. Alwidyan, Alaa O Oteir, Anas A. Mohammad, B. Williams","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.924","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.924","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has overwhelmed healthcare systems and exposed healthcare providers (and their families) to a high risk of infection and death. This study aimed to assess the willingness of healthcare providers in Jordan to report for duty and provide care to COVID-19 patients. Methods An online questionnaire was developed including questions about demographics, willingness to report to work and provide care to COVID-19 patients, and potential associated factors. Results A total of 253 participants completed the survey (mean age 33.8 years, 58.6% male). The sample included physicians (14.9%), nurses (61.1%) and paramedics (23%). Most participants (96.4%) were willing to come to work during the pandemic, although only 64.7% showed a willingness to provide care to COVID-19 patients. Being male (OR 3.21; 95% CI: 1.75-5.90) or having adequate training on COVID-19 (OR 5.16; 95% CI: 2.32-11.46) were the major predictors for willingness to care for COVID-19 patients, whereas concerns for family safety (OR 0.25; 95% CI: 0.14-0.47) or lack of information about COVID-19 (OR 0.43; 95% CI: 0.23-0.80) were the major predicting barriers for willingness to care for COVID-19 patients. Conclusion Although most participants were willing to report for duty, less than two-thirds were willing to care for COVID-19 patients. Being male and receiving training are associated with willingness; whereas concern for family is associated with less willingness to care for COVID-19 patients.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129211477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has strained international healthcare systems, including ambulance availability. Ambulance officers and paramedics are at the frontline of this pandemic and are therefore particularly exposed. Under normal operational circumstances, ambulance delivery is challenging; the effects of COVID-19 have exacerbated both the delivery of services and the stress placed on paramedics. In this case report, we describe a 12-hour emergency ambulance dayshift in central London during the second wave city-wide lockdown. We also discuss the impact COVID-19 has on day-to-day operations and the strategies employed to reduce paramedic infection.
{"title":"Describing a 12-Hour Ambulance Shift during a Second Wave of Covid-19 in London","authors":"Alexandra Rengers, Emma Day, S. Whitfield","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.976","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.976","url":null,"abstract":"The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, has strained international healthcare systems, including ambulance availability. Ambulance officers and paramedics are at the frontline of this pandemic and are therefore particularly exposed. Under normal operational circumstances, ambulance delivery is challenging; the effects of COVID-19 have exacerbated both the delivery of services and the stress placed on paramedics. In this case report, we describe a 12-hour emergency ambulance dayshift in central London during the second wave city-wide lockdown. We also discuss the impact COVID-19 has on day-to-day operations and the strategies employed to reduce paramedic infection.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"39 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125445629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
These are the conference abstracts for oral and poster presentations at the Australasian College of Paramedicine Student Conference (StuCon 2021) Abstracts, Virtual online, Australia, 30th July 2021
{"title":"Australasian College of Paramedicine Student Conference: (Stucon 2021) Abstracts - Oral and Poster Presentations","authors":"Liam Bruton","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.992","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.992","url":null,"abstract":"These are the conference abstracts for oral and poster presentations at the Australasian College of Paramedicine Student Conference (StuCon 2021) Abstracts, Virtual online, Australia, 30th July 2021","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"102 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134196518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Introduction During emergency ambulance calls, one of the key issues assessed is the patient's level of consciousness. An altered conscious state can be indicative of a need for a high priority response; however, the reliability of the resulting triage depends on how accurately alertness can be ascertained over the phone. This study investigated the accuracy of emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) determination of conscious state in emergency ambulance calls in Perth, Western Australia. Methods The study compared EMD determination of patient alertness based on the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), with conscious state as recorded by paramedics on arrival, for all emergency ambulance calls in a 1-year period in metropolitan Perth. Diagnostic accuracy was reported across the whole system and stratified by MPDS chief complaint. Results There were 109,678 calls included for analysis. In terms of identifying patients as not alert, the overall positive predictive value was 6.62% and negative predictive value was 99.93%, with 10 times as many patients dispatched as not alert than found to be not alert at scene. Sensitivity was only 69.94%. There was significant variation in accuracy between chief complaints. Conclusion The study found high levels of inaccuracy between dispatch identification of not-alert patients, and what paramedics found on scene. While not-alert dispatch was 10 times more common than patients being determined not-alert on scene, only 70% of not-alert patients on scene were classified as such during dispatch. Further research is suggested into the factors that affect the accuracy of EMD determination of patient conscious state.
{"title":"‘Is the Patient Completely Alert?’ – Accuracy of Emergency Medical Dispatcher Determination of Patient Conscious State","authors":"Jason Belcher, J. Finn, A. Whiteside, S. Ball","doi":"10.33151/ajp.18.858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.18.858","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction During emergency ambulance calls, one of the key issues assessed is the patient's level of consciousness. An altered conscious state can be indicative of a need for a high priority response; however, the reliability of the resulting triage depends on how accurately alertness can be ascertained over the phone. This study investigated the accuracy of emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) determination of conscious state in emergency ambulance calls in Perth, Western Australia. Methods The study compared EMD determination of patient alertness based on the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS), with conscious state as recorded by paramedics on arrival, for all emergency ambulance calls in a 1-year period in metropolitan Perth. Diagnostic accuracy was reported across the whole system and stratified by MPDS chief complaint. Results There were 109,678 calls included for analysis. In terms of identifying patients as not alert, the overall positive predictive value was 6.62% and negative predictive value was 99.93%, with 10 times as many patients dispatched as not alert than found to be not alert at scene. Sensitivity was only 69.94%. There was significant variation in accuracy between chief complaints. Conclusion The study found high levels of inaccuracy between dispatch identification of not-alert patients, and what paramedics found on scene. While not-alert dispatch was 10 times more common than patients being determined not-alert on scene, only 70% of not-alert patients on scene were classified as such during dispatch. Further research is suggested into the factors that affect the accuracy of EMD determination of patient conscious state.","PeriodicalId":340334,"journal":{"name":"Australian Journal of Paramedicine","volume":"28 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131781069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：