Abstract
There has been a rapid shift in the role of paramedics from their traditional 1950s and 1960s role of ‘ambulance drivers’ and ‘stretcher-bearers’, to advanced medical clinicians that are technically competent and autonomous clinical problem-solvers. Australian paramedics have undergone an extensive extension to their scope of practice, including formalisation of education and training, adoption of life saving interventions as part of clinical practice and provision of advanced medical technology (Chilton, 2004). Within the health system, paramedics provide front-line management by working autonomously in the out-of-hospital setting to serve the community in preserving life, preventing further illness/injury, in addition to assisting patient recovery and enhancing patient outcomes (Grantham, 2004). Despite the small body of knowledge that exists on paramedic professionalisation and proactive steps towards professionalism, within the Australian Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics have not gained professional recognition among other healthcare professions and Government bodies (Reynolds, 2004; Williams et al, 2010).
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