The ACP International Conference provides an unmatched opportunity for our members to learn from experts and leaders in paramedicine. ACPIC 2021 was delivered as a hybrid conference (online and face to face in the Sunshine Coast, QLD and Hobart, TAS) in November 2021.

Paramedics experience high psychological distress as part of their daily work. To cope with this stress many paramedics rely on family support, such as talking to a partner, as a primary coping strategy. While discussing traumatic experiences may be a beneficial coping strategy for paramedics, exposure to the details of their traumatic experiences may leave their partners vulnerable to developing secondary traumatic stress. This presentation will provide an overview of my proposed research that will investigate secondary traumatic stress in partners of paramedics, with the goal to develop and pilot an intervention aimed at reducing the severity of secondary traumatic stress in partners of paramedics.

Biography: Matthew Hill

Matthew Hill is a registered paramedic, Lecturer in Paramedicine at the University of the Sunshine Coast, and provisional PhD candidate at CQUniversity. With 10 years of experience working for Queensland Ambulance Service, Matt has undertaken several clinical roles including Advanced Care Paramedic II, Critical Care Paramedic, and Critical Care Flight Paramedic. During the past 5 years, Matt has also taught into the undergraduate and postgraduate Paramedic Science programs at CQUniversity. The main drivers for Matt’s research stem from his clinical experience as a paramedic and his experience as a Peer Support Officer, where he has developed a keen interest in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of paramedics and their families.

Session moderator: Linda Ross