Our Member Engagement Team has been attending events across Australasia, fostering relationships and providing support to universities and student paramedic societies.
Recently, Flinders University hosted their annual student research conference; an event focused on providing a platform for students to showcase their work and findings. Students presented to an audience consisting of their peers, academic staff, registered paramedics, and management from the South Australian Ambulance Service (SAAS). Also present were members from allied health services highlighting the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing within the field.
The range of topics covered during the presentations was diverse and intriguing. These topics included targeted temperature management and the utilisation of First Nations yarning circles to enhance care plans and pathways. The event provided a valuable opportunity for final-year students to gain insights into research proposals and learn how to incorporate research into their future paramedic careers.
Overall, this event at Flinders University served as a platform for aspiring paramedics to present their research, engage with stakeholders, and gain exposure to the world of research and its impact on their future careers.
The event ‘Leading at the Scene: In-field Clinical Leadership in Paramedicine’ was held on November 16th and was hosted by Monash University at their Caulfield Campus in Melbourne. The event, organised by the college’s Victorian member committee, was both an in person and online event, with a total of 286 people attending the presentation. Dr Ben Meadley, a critical care paramedic and clinical leader, shared his experiences and described how his clinical leadership had evolved over his career. He imparted valuable knowledge and provided insights and pearls of wisdom with the attendees. Throughout the event, there was engaging interaction and meaningful discussions between the audience members and the presenters, both online and in person. This interactive component enriched the experience and allowed participants to exchange ideas and perspectives.
This educational event was organised by SPURS and was aimed at creating an environment where student paramedics could gain practical experience and enhance their skills in a controlled setting whilst being mentored by academic staffed and experienced paramedics. It provided an invaluable opportunity for them to apply their theoretical knowledge and practice their decision-making abilities in a high-pressure situation.
During the event, participants had the opportunity to assess, triage, and treat the simulated casualties using the appropriate medical equipment and evidence informed practice to guide their decision making. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into the challenges and complexities of managing mass casualty incidents, emphasising the importance of communication, teamwork, and efficient decision-making under pressure.
Overall, the large-scale mass casualty incident simulation event organized by UTAS Student Paramedic Association (SPURS) provided an immersive and enriching experience for student paramedics. The support and involvement of organisations like the College, NSW Ambulance, and the University of Notre Dame played a pivotal role in its success and highlighted the importance of collaboration and continuous learning within the paramedic community.
NSW Ambulance, in collaboration with the Australasian College of Paramedicine, recently conducted an education event to address the growing need for increased awareness and understanding of the capabilities of Specialists within NSW Ambulance. A significant influx of new paramedics and experienced paramedics transferring to the region, saw a need to ensure that all paramedics are aware of and know how to access the expertise of these specialists.
The event aimed to facilitate information sharing among paramedics and provide practical scenario training and demonstrations to showcase how to best utilise the skills and experiences offered by the Extended Care Paramedic (ECP) cohort, Special Operations Team (SOT), and Aeromedical Operations. These specialists possess skills that may not be readily available in all geographical areas of NSW, making it essential for paramedics to know how to effectively utilise their services to better patient outcomes.
By organising this event, NSW Ambulance and the Australasian College of Paramedicine sought to bridge the knowledge gap among paramedics, improve access to specialised care, and ensure that all paramedics can optimise the use of available resources to benefit patients. The engagement and training provided during the event will contribute to efficient and effective emergency response, ultimately enhancing patient care throughout the Illawarra Shoalhaven region.
Last month, the College was honored to sponsor the highly anticipated AUT: Student Paramedics Australasia Simulation Challenge alongside the university's Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences.
We proudly supported Te Herenga Manapou; a new award bestowed upon the winning simulation team, this year being awarded to AUT Paramedicine Team Tahi! 'Te Herenga' symbolizes the intricate connections and collaboration among teams, while 'Manapou' holds a dual significance as the Te Reo Māori name for 'paramedic/paramedicine' and represents the pursuit of prestige ('mana') embodied in the trophy ('pou').