Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC24)

ACPIC 2024 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Sydney (September 2024) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.

Conference theme: Paramedicine's evolution – Embracing the new era

Behavioural cue descriptors for the Australian Paramedicine Professional Capabilities Tool (APPCAT) descriptors: A modified Delphi study

Paramedicine education lacks a nationally standardised assessment tool for evaluating students during work-integrated learning (WIL). The absence of a national harmonised assessment sets paramedicine apart from other health disciplines, risking patient safety and workforce competence. In 2023, with support from the Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans (ACPD), the Australian Paramedicine Professional Capabilities Tool (APPCAT) has been developed to meet program accreditation standards. The APPCAT aims to develop a reliable method for assessing paramedicine students under direct observation during placement. This multi-phase project has completed its first phase with a modified Delphi process to identify the behavioural cues descriptors.

Biography: Rebecca Houli

Rebecca Houli, Victoria University alumnus, began her academic journey in 2007. With a background in vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE), she has now combined her clinical operational paramedic with academia. Since 2015, she has organised and lead four highly successful international study tours, diversifying the work integrated learning (WIL) clinical curriculum via the New Colombo Plan. These initiatives not only prepare students as global citizens but also provide an innovative educational experience in varying community health settings. Her passion for paramedicine and education is evident in her commitment to drive quality improvement and patient safety and in WIL. She is leading a national academic expert reference working group whose objective is the standardisation and harmonisation of a national clinical placement assessment tool for paramedicine programs that aligns the Professional Capabilities for Registered Paramedics (PCFRP). The Australian Paramedicine Professional Capabilities Tool (APPCAT) will assist higher education providers in meeting program accreditation standards for the future workforce to be able to deliver safe, quality patient care.

Moderator: Dr Graham Munro, ACPIC24 Organising Committee Member