Dissertation
A Mixed Method Study Exploring First Year Paramedic Students’ Experiences of Stress Whilst Undertaking Their First Ambulance Placement
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00413
Abstract
Evidence suggests that paramedics experience significant stress whilst working in the ambulance setting, however little is known about the stress experiences of paramedic students when undertaking Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in the ambulance setting. This study was comprised of three distinct yet related parts in response to gaps identified in the current literature. It aimed to: (i) identify whether levels of stress, anxiety and depression experienced by first year paramedic students changed after ambulance placement compared to a control group, (ii) identify the main perceived and actual sources of stress around ambulance placement, and (iii) explore how first year paramedic students experience stress on their first ambulance placement.
The literature review, published as an integrative review in Australian Emergency Care, identified clinical and emotional sources which impact paramedic students’ experience of stress during WIL in the ambulance setting. Part 1 and Part 2 of this study were presented at the 999 EMS Research Forum in Wales (UK) and published in the Emergency Medicine Journal. Part 1 identified that levels of stress experienced by paramedic students significantly decreased after undertaking WIL in the ambulance setting when compared to a control group. Part 2 identified death and dying, and treating seriously ill children, as highly anticipated stressors, whereas insecurity about knowledge, competence and fear of failure were both highly anticipated stressors and, stressors that were experienced during WIL. Finally, Part 3 of this study, presented at the Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference 2021 (ACPIC21) in Canberra, identified that students’ experiences of stress are being exacerbated by a paramedic curriculum that may fail to educate students about how to cope with their experiences in the ambulance setting. It also highlighted that what paramedic students experience as stress is culturally perpetuated by clinical placement supervisors’ undeveloped skills and through hierarchical relationships and a power imbalance between students and clinical placement supervisors.
Details
- Title
- A Mixed Method Study Exploring First Year Paramedic Students’ Experiences of Stress Whilst Undertaking Their First Ambulance Placement
- Authors
- Matthew Warren-James - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
- Contributors
- Julie Hanson (Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00413
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; School of Health - Paramedicine; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99655798902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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