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.

Paramedic attendance at an infant or child death is reported as being the most distressing type of case paramedics attend. Paramedic education programs have previously reported student confidence is low when discussing resuscitation wishes, notifying family members of a patient’s death, and providing support to a bereaved family. Peer social support may offer an important medium for paramedic student support when coping with these stressful situations. The study aimed to evaluate the student experience of participating in a peer social support group using the CARES framework to discuss perinatal grief and death related to infants and children.

Biography: Matthew Warren-James

Prior to moving to Australia in 2015, Matt spent 10 years working in the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Matt has extensive experience in both paramedic and nursing Higher Education (HE) programs, and previously held the position of program leader for the undergraduate BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science (London) at the University of Greenwich, UK. Matt now coordinates courses in the areas of clinical leadership, mentorship, ethics and law. He has recently submitted his PhD which explored how first year student paramedics experience stress on their first ambulance placement.

Session moderator: Lauren Clothier