References
Student international learning experiences in Cebu, Philippines
Abstract
Background:
Universities are increasingly exploring international placements and learning experiences for paramedicine students. This has given rise to questions about the quality of student experiences overseas within the paramedic curriculum and how useful they are.
Aim:
This study investigates whether a university-organised overseas trip provided a useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate paramedicine students.
Methods:
A 60-question survey was administered, with questions focusing chiefly on clinical and cultural experiences during the overseas trip. Statistical software was used to analyse continuous and categorical survey data.
Findings:
This international trip appears to have provided useful cultural but suboptimal clinical learning experiences, despite participants' involvement in childbirth, emergency room presentations and blood draws.
Conclusions:
The different practice settings and cultural elements of the trip provided valuable learning experiences. A validated survey that would allow universities to evaluate and better understand the dimensions of quality in overseas paramedic student placements should be developed.
The issue of student placement quality has received considerable attention from health professions in Australia over the past decade (Ferns and Pegden, 2012; Siggins Miller Consultants, 2012; Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC), 2017). In line with training for other professions, paramedic students and universities are more frequently exploring international placements and non-traditional (or non-frontline ambulance) overseas workplace learning experiences as part of undergraduate paramedicine courses (Ashton et al, 2013; Lord et al, 2013).
Academics involved in international placements need to consider objectives and ask if students will:
The current study investigated whether a university-organised overseas trip provided a useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate paramedic students.
In the paramedic and other health professions in Australia, guidance from accrediting bodies about the elements that comprise a quality placement can be limited, as can detail on how learning objectives during placements should be achieved and demonstrated (Siggins Miller Consultants, 2012; AHMAC, 2017).
Subscribe to get full access to International Paramedic Practice
Thank you for visiting International Paramedic Practice and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the only journal dedicated to those working in emergency care, you can start your subscription today for just £48.
What's included
-
CPD Focus
-
Develop your career
-
Stay informed