Abstract
Introduction
Paramedicine is an increasingly popular profession. The main pathway into the role of paramedic in Australia is through the completion of a two to five-year bachelor’s degree program. This tertiary pathway presents some challenges for the physical preparation of students for the paramedic role. Student paramedic physical fitness is a safety concern for patients and existing staff.
Aim
This study sought to assess the student paramedics’ perceptions of physical preparation activities for the paramedic role in an undergraduate paramedicine degree program.
Methods:
Twelve (12) paramedicine students enrolled in an undergraduate paramedicine degree volunteered to complete a three-minute step test (3MST20), a grip strength test (GS), and two employment-based physical fitness tests; the Ottawa Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (OPPATTM) and the New South Wales Ambulance musculoskeletal assessment (NSWAT). Following each physical demands test, the participants completed a brief perceptions questionnaire.
Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The analysis used standard data science Python libraries; Pandas, Numpy, and Scipy, with Visualisations created using Matplotlib and Seaborn.
Qualitative data relating to student perceptions of their physical preparation for the Australian paramedicine context were analysed through content analysis. The study protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF). Registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QTKPM
Results
Key findings include that participants felt underprepared for the role based on the undergraduate degree curriculum and perceived there to be no physical fitness preparation activities. Student paramedics felt physical preparation is important and would like to see relevant, specific, curriculum-based physical preparation programs.
Conclusion
Further work is needed to assess the practicality of integrating existing, standardised and evidenced-based physical employment requirements into an undergraduate paramedicine degree program, perhaps as a part of WIL pre-requirements; however, such efforts are considered important by paramedicine students.
Paramedicine is an increasingly popular profession. The main pathway into the role of paramedic in Australia is through the completion of a two to five-year bachelor’s degree program. This tertiary pathway presents some challenges for the physical preparation of students for the paramedic role. Student paramedic physical fitness is a safety concern for patients and existing staff.
Aim
This study sought to assess the student paramedics’ perceptions of physical preparation activities for the paramedic role in an undergraduate paramedicine degree program.
Methods:
Twelve (12) paramedicine students enrolled in an undergraduate paramedicine degree volunteered to complete a three-minute step test (3MST20), a grip strength test (GS), and two employment-based physical fitness tests; the Ottawa Paramedic Physical Abilities Test (OPPATTM) and the New South Wales Ambulance musculoskeletal assessment (NSWAT). Following each physical demands test, the participants completed a brief perceptions questionnaire.
Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The analysis used standard data science Python libraries; Pandas, Numpy, and Scipy, with Visualisations created using Matplotlib and Seaborn.
Qualitative data relating to student perceptions of their physical preparation for the Australian paramedicine context were analysed through content analysis. The study protocol has been registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF). Registration DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/QTKPM
Results
Key findings include that participants felt underprepared for the role based on the undergraduate degree curriculum and perceived there to be no physical fitness preparation activities. Student paramedics felt physical preparation is important and would like to see relevant, specific, curriculum-based physical preparation programs.
Conclusion
Further work is needed to assess the practicality of integrating existing, standardised and evidenced-based physical employment requirements into an undergraduate paramedicine degree program, perhaps as a part of WIL pre-requirements; however, such efforts are considered important by paramedicine students.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jul 2024 |
| Event | 2024 Australasian College of Paramedicine Research Symposium - Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia Duration: 18 Jul 2024 → 19 Jul 2024 https://paramedics.org/events/RS24 https://paramedics.org/research-symposium/details#:~:text=The%20Research%20Symposium%20will%20be,and%2019th%20of%20July%202024. (Symposium website) https://paramedics.org/research-symposium/program (Program) |
Conference
| Conference | 2024 Australasian College of Paramedicine Research Symposium |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Influence and Inspire: Advancing the Paramedicine Research Agenda for Australasia. |
| Country/Territory | Australia |
| City | Brisbane |
| Period | 18/07/24 → 19/07/24 |
| Other | Aligned with the research priorities identified in the Research Agenda for Australasian Paramedicine, the theme of the 2024 Australasian College of Paramedicine Research Symposium aims to highlight the crucial role of paramedic research in shaping and advancing emergency care. This year, the symposium will provide an opportunity for novice and emerging paramedicine researchers to share their innovative findings, demonstrating how their research has the potential to bring positive change to the field and enhance the standard of care delivered by paramedics. |
| Internet address |