Fit to graduate? A feasibility study. Assess the feasibility of implementing OPPATTM procedure and data collection instruments in the Australian context.

Fit to Graduate – A feasibility study.
Assess the feasibility of implementing OPPATTM procedure and data collection instruments in the Australian context.

Introduction

There are significant injury rates across ambulance services in Australia. This may indicate a need for evidence-based pre-employment physical fitness assessment standards. This study aims to assess the feasibility of an existing, international, standardised pre-employment paramedic physical capacity test, the Ottawa Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (OPPATTM ), for application to Australian ambulance services.

Methods:
12 paramedicine students studying an undergraduate paramedicine degree completed a 3MST20, a grip strength test, two employment based physical fitness tests , including the OPPATTM and the New South Wales Ambulance musculoskeletal assessment, and brief perception questionnaires following each test.
Physiological data were collected during testing using Hexoskin devices and are being analysed descriptively.
Qualitative data relating to perceptions of aspects of the feasibility of the tests for use in the Australian paramedicine context will be analysed through content analysis.

Results
Data analysis for the feasibility study is ongoing and complete findings will be available for presentation. Some initial key findings include that the OPPATTM is adaptable to the Australian context and may be implemented by universities. Of the 12 participants (n=12), six participants (50%) were eligible to commence all physical tests, and of these, two (2) completed all physical tests to a satisfactory level, as set by current pre-employment requirements.

Conclusion
The OPPATTM is adaptable and likely feasible for application in Australian ambulance services, however, current student paramedics may not be physically prepared for the test. Further work is needed to ensure standardised and appropriate pre-employment testing specific to the paramedic role.