Education

Differential rater function over time (DRIFT) during student simulations

Background: The field of paramedicine continues to advance in scope. Simulation training is frequently used to teach and evaluate students. Simulation examinations are often evaluated using a standardised global rating scale (GRS) that is reliable and valid. However, differential rater function over time (DRIFT) has not been evaluated when using the GRS during simulations. Aims: This study aimed to assess if DRIFT arises when applying the GRS. Methods: Data were collected at six simulation...

Obstetrics and birth: effects of experiences and gender bias on student test scores

Objectives: Paramedic education requires all students have the experience of attending childbirth. Obstetric (OB) experiences are limited for students in hospitals and even more so in the field. Gender bias may exist in hospital OB rotations for paramedic students but research on this is limited. This study is intended to examine whether a sex bias exists in field or hospital placements and if that bias correlates to OB test scores. Methods: Using data from Fisdap, numbers of OB experiences...

How student paramedics navigate a changing UK healthcare landscape

Background: Paramedics have witnessed a huge shift in their role as providers of prehospital emergency care, although little is known about how student paramedics manage the competing demands they face in practice. Aim: To explore how student paramedics experience the changing healthcare landscape. Method: Semi-structured, focus groups and thematic content analysis was adopted. A purposive sample of student paramedics at different stages of their diploma preparatory training were invited to...

How report writing supports paramedic students' learning

Writing skills are critical as emergency medical services (EMS) use them to support patient care, yet limited research supports EMS writing practice and pedagogy. The field of writing studies and its sub-field of technical communication offers theories and methods to understand these skills. Grounded in writing theory, this article reports on a longitudinal study about paramedic documentation training and uses the framework of ‘threshold concepts’: ideas, knowledge, and skills writers gain that...

Acceptability and effectiveness of a 3D virtual reality cardiovascular lesson

Introduction: The aim is to describe a preliminary pilot incorporating 3D virtual reality (VR) into a cardiovascular problem-based learning (PBL) lesson. Methods: A paramedic cohort of students (n=19) took part in a 12-lesson anatomy and physiology module. Multiple choice question results from the cardiovascular PBL lesson were compared with the multiple choice question results from other organ system PBL lessons. In addition, a questionnaire was answered by 15 students assessing...

A novel approach to problem-based learning in a paramedicine programme

Background: Many paramedicine, nursing and medicine programmes use problem-based learning (PBL) to help bridge the gap between clinical theory and real-world practice. Aim: This paper describes a novel approach to PBL that has been used in a large, university-based paramedicine programme. Methods: Over a 3-year period, an applied pharmacology tutorial was progressively redesigned by a cross-disciplinary team of practising paramedic, pharmacy and educational design academics. Findings: A...

Work integrated learning in Vanuatu: student perspectives

Background: Non-traditional work integrated learning (WIL) experiences have become increasingly popular within undergraduate paramedicine programmes, partly because WIL is considered a valid pedagogy that contributes to the integration of clinical and supporting science capabilities. Aim: This paper builds upon previous WIL evaluation activities to determine whether an international WIL experience in Vanuatu provided a useful clinical and cultural learning experience for undergraduate...

Developing transcultural awareness: student perspectives of a placement in Johannesburg South Africa

Elective placements are a relatively new aspect of paramedic practice, with few opportunities for student paramedics to experience this internationally. This article shares reflections from a student's perspective gained from experience of a 3-week elective placement in Johannesburg, South Africa, working on a frontline ambulance and fast response vehicle. It explores international differences in paramedic practice, reviews two case studies and discusses the importance of scene management and...

Exploring empathy levels among Canadian paramedic students

Background: Empathy is an important factor in communication between healthcare provider and patient. Previous studies have shown that empathy benefits patient care in multiple ways. Empathy allows a space of decreased vulnerability and, as a result, builds trust in healthcare relationships. It fosters open communication that leads to improved patient care; improves patient satisfaction; and buffers healthcare provider burnout. This study aimed to determine the empathy levels demonstrated by...

Student international learning experiences in Cebu, Philippines

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,...

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