Identifying challenges and evaluating strategies to prepare paramedic science students to utilise math in their future career

In 2010, Ambulance Victoria (the primary employer of Victoria University Bachelor of Health Science graduates) introduced a math examination as part of their recruitment. The exam aimed to improve the process of clinical drug administration by deselecting graduates who were unable to demonstrate predetermined mathematical skills. Anecdotally, it has been noted that many applicants do poorly in math assessments within the course and during recruitment. Anxiety appears also to be raised when undertaking a math assessment compared to other components of university assessment and employment recruitment. In order to improve student chances of pursuing this career, whilst maintaining a minimum standard, a more structured approach to mathematical education in this health science degree is required. Our aims are to engage students in mathematical learning, improve their math skills, alleviate math related anxiety and identify the relevance of math in their future health science career

Impact of online learning on sense of belonging among first year clinical health students during COVID‑19 : student and academic perspectives

Background: The need to belong is a fundamental human desire that provides the basis for relationships and community; it provides a sense of security that enables growth and development. This sense of belonging is pivotal to new University students, indeed, without it, students are at greater risk of failing or withdrawing from their studies. Yet developing a sense of belonging within a new cohort is complex and multi-faceted and further complicated by a sudden shift away from in-person to online learning. Using the situated-learning framework, our study explores first year clinical health students’ sense of belonging in the context of the rapid transition to online learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We utilised a current mixed-method approach including a survey incorporating previously validated tools, demographic and open-ended qualitative questions. Data was also gathered from three focus groups: two dedicated student groups and one academic focus group. Qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis whilst descriptive statistics were used to describe the quantitative data. Results: 179 first year students complete the survey and four students, and five academics were involved in the focus groups. All participants were from clinical health science courses at an Australian university. Our qualitative results indicated a global theme of: Navigating belonging during the COVID-19 crisis: a shared responsibility; with four organising themes describing (1) dimensions of belonging, (2) individual experiences and challenges, (3) reconceptualising teaching and learning, and (4) relationships are central to belonging. Conclusion: While the rapid transition to online learning did not greatly impact knowledge acquisition of first-year students in this cohort, the lack of sense of belonging highlights the need for further research into development of this essential aspect of learning in the online domain. Although contextualised in the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the findings will remain relevant beyond the current situation, as a student’s need to belong will always be present in the face of challenges or change

International work integrated learning (WIL) in undergraduate paramedicine programs : a cross-sectional survey of practice models in Australia

Purpose – The proliferation of undergraduate paramedicine programs has led to a surge in demand for work integrated learning (WIL), placing pressure on domestic ambulance service placement capacity. The objective of this study was to establish a baseline understanding of international WIL in paramedicine university programs. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional study design was utilized to gather data from Australasian universities offering undergraduate paramedicine. A telephone survey was used to gather quantitative and qualitative data using a tailored questionnaire. Findings – Of 15 eligible paramedicine programs, seven program leads participated. All offered international WIL, predominantly short-duration format in locations including United Kingdom, USA, Israel, Nepal, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, New Zealand, South Africa, Finland, Canada and Vanuatu. Two distinct models were identified: academic-accompanied, group “study tours” and unaccompanied individual placements. International WIL is common in paramedicine but placement models, rationale and expected learning experiences are diverse. Originality/value – International WIL is an increasing component of paramedicine and other health discipline degrees, yet the pedagogical rationale for their inclusion and typology is not always clear. This paper provides an insight into the variance in international WIL typology in a single health discipline highlighting the heterogeneity and need for future research linking into the structure, support and assessment of international WIL

Prevalance of burnout in paramedics : a systematic review of prevalence studies

Paramedic wellness is an increasing priority within the profession. Burnout has been described as having areas of ‘emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and reduced personal accomplishment’. Prevalence of burnout is unclear, hampering evaluation of protective initiatives. The aim of this systematic review was to identify prevalence and predictors of burnout in paramedic populations. A systematic review was registered via PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO and PsycARTICLES were searched from 2000 to present. Abstract screening and selection of articles was undertaken with good agreement. Quality assessment of included articles used Hoy's validated quality assessment tool, with excellent inter‐rater agreement (K = 0.9). Qualitative synthesis of included studies was performed. Each step of the process was performed independently by two authors, with a third arbitrating disputes as required. Five studies met inclusion criteria; two were from the USA, and one each from Australia, South Africa and Israel. Burnout measurement varied; three used Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI), one Maslach's Burnout Inventory (MBI), and one General Burnout Measure (GBM). Prevalence of burnout ranged between 16% and 56%. Higher prevalence was reported in CBI studies (30%, 38% and 56%), while lower prevalence was seen with other tools (MBI 18%, GBM 16%). Included studies were of low to moderate quality. The prevalence of burnout in paramedics varies from 16% to 56%. Existing evidence describing burnout in paramedics is weak; research of good methodological rigour is needed to quantify prevalence of burnout, providing a reliable baseline against which protective interventions could be measured

Student paramedic stigma towards people with mental illness : an international study

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[In Press] The use of immersive simulation in paramedicine education : a scoping review

The emergence of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) modalities has increased the potential of simulation in paramedicine education. The integration of AR/MR into education programmes should be underpinned by sound learning design; however, little is known about their effective use. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify the application and integration of AR/MR within paramedicine education. The review searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychInfo, CINAHL and ERIC up to February 2020 to identify peerreviewed articles describing the application or integration of any AR/ virtual reality (VR) in the context of paramedicine education. The search yielded 11 records for qualitative synthesis from 170 unique records. The quality assessment showed diversity, from good to very poor quality papers. Categories of AR/MR were identified: computer-based avatar worlds, headset-based VR and screen-projection immersive spaces. An application was diverse, with triage and management of mass casualty featuring prominently. One paper described costeffectiveness, and none discussed issues associated with volume or frequency of exposure required to achieve sustained outcomes. This review identified a small and heterogeneous evidence base describing AR/MR in paramedicine education. Limited, weak evidence demonstrates outcomes of equal to or better than traditional simulation when using AR/VR in paramedicine education

[In Press] The impact of body-worn cameras on the incidence of occupational violence towards paramedics : a systematic review

Purpose – Recent evidence indicates an increasing incidence of occupational violence (OV) towards paramedics. Body-worn cameras (BWC) have been posited as an intervention that may deter perpetrators, leading to a growing number of ambulance services introducing BWCs at a considerable financial cost. This study aims to investigate the impact of BWC on the incidence of OV towards paramedics. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic review was conducted according to the JBI methodology. EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, Cochrane reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, JBI systematic reviews, TROVE and Google Scholar were searched to identify primary research studies reporting on BWCs as an intervention against an outcome of OV incidence. Primary research papers, publicly-accessible government reports, peer-reviewed and grey literature, if published in English, were eligible. Findings – The search identified 152 documents, of which 125 were assessed following the removal of duplicates. Following abstract screening then full-text review, there were no studies available to include in the review. Research limitations/implications – The introduction of interventions should be supported by evidence and an analysis of associated health economics. There is a need for ambulance services that have implemented BWC initiatives to make evaluation data available publicly for transparent review to inform decision-making elsewhere in the profession. Originality/value – To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these findings represent the first investigation of BWCs as a strategy to reduce the incidence of OV towards paramedics. They highlight the need to apply research frameworks rigorously and transparently to OV reduction initiatives to ensure paramedics are protected by evidence-based strategies