Clinical placements: putting theory into practice for paramedic students

Linda Ross; Ryan Bennett; Chantal Perera

doi:10.5455/jcme.20141122082819

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Clinical placements: putting theory into practice for paramedic students

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Clinical placements: putting theory into practice for paramedic students

Linda Ross, Ryan Bennett and Chantal Perera

Journal of Contemporary Medical Education, Vol.3(1), pp.2-5

2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/jcme.20141122082819

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Abstract

Nursing

clinical placement

paramedic student

theory and practice

Objective: Clinical placements are integral to the education and development of paramedic students and are often cited as providing opportunities for students to apply knowledge and practice clinical skills. Clinical placements also serve to inform students about the realities of the paramedic profession. The objective of this study was to examine the prominent clinical themes identified by undergraduate paramedic students following experiences on clinical placement. Methods: This study employed a cross-sectional methodology using online discussion forum to elicit common clinical themes encountered by students during clinical placements. A convenience sample of 116 2nd year Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) students from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia was eligible to participate in the study. Results: A thematic analysis of the online posts revealed three main themes: Cannulation, resuscitation and experience. The three themes were selected based on the frequency of discussion and the level of importance placed on them by the students. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a variety of clinical themes emerge from involvement in clinical placements. Students identified that skills such as intravenous cannulation, resuscitation including compressions, ventilation and airway management differed in application compared to what is practiced at university. The experience gained from clinical placements was consistently reported as beneficial, as placements allow exposure to the real aspects of emergency health, aid in consolidation of theory, and provide opportunities to investigate patients' conditions. Educators may use these results for future curriculum and placement planning in order to optimize the student's experience on clinical placement.

Details

Title: Clinical placements: putting theory into practice for paramedic students
Authors: Linda Ross (Author) - Monash University
Ryan Bennett (Author) - Monash University
Chantal Perera (Author) - Monash University
Publication details: Journal of Contemporary Medical Education, Vol.3(1), pp.2-5
Publisher: SAGEYA Publishing
Date published: 2015
DOI: 10.5455/jcme.20141122082819
ISSN: 2146-8354
Copyright note: Copyright © 2015 SAGEYA. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, noncommercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; School of Health - Paramedicine
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449607502621
Output Type: Journal article

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