Description
Introduction:Clinical placements are a component of all New South Wales (NSW) undergraduate paramedicine degrees. They have been utilised throughout healthcare in various disciplines with the aim of students developing communication, decision-making and clinical skills. The aim of this research was to identify influences that may impact upon paramedic student experience of clinical placement and how this may affect a student’s perception of their own preparedness. Further, students were asked specifically what may improve their preparedness.
Methods:
Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with seven undergraduate paramedicine students across two NSW universities. The data was thematically analysed using an interpretive qualitative methodological approach.
Findings:
Themes included placement location, communication, preceptorship, expectations and the discrepancies between theory and practice. Understanding the student experience will help to inform paramedic curricula in order to best prepare students for placement.
Conclusion:
The experience of student paramedics in the clinical setting requires further research to support maximum consolidation of learning. Recommendations for the future include assessment of the accessibility of financial support opportunities, maximisation of ‘lead time’ in placement allocation, designating specific preceptor shift time for student contact and orientation on the first day of placement, development of a preceptorship training program and restructuring content in the paramedic curricula.
| Period | Feb 2023 |
|---|---|
| Examinee | Victoria Evens |
| Examination held at | |
| Degree of Recognition | National |
Keywords
- clinical placement
- Paramedic Student
- prepardeness