Australasian College of Paramedicine International Conference (ACPIC25)
ACPIC 2025 delivered a wide range of clinical and research sessions from experts and leaders in paramedicine. Hosted in Brisbane (September 2025) the program was designed to inspire, educate and broaden horizons.
Conference theme: Foundations to future: Advancing paramedicine
Capacity and competence in the extremes of age - paediatric patients
Paediatric patients have the potential to pose several challenges in the pre-hospital space, and determining their capacity for decision making can complicate dynamic situations further. In this session, we will discuss the determination of capacity in Paediatric and adolescent patients through various methods of assessment, with case studies used to provide insight. This session will discuss the unique challenges of this population and will provide some clarity on determination of competency.
Biography: Dr Tristan Harding
Tristan is a Paediatrician and Paediatric Emergency Specialist based in Melbourne. He works at a number of health services including the Royal Children’s Hospital, and has experience in Paediatric retrieval. He has interests in trauma management and is passionate about education. He has written Clinical Practice Guidelines, including management of acute behavioural disturbance, and has several research publications.
Moderator: Stephanie Nixon, Advanced Care Paramedic, Queensland Ambulance Service
The College is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics and student paramedics across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand since 1973.
The College acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land and sea in which we live and work, we recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and culture and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
We recognise the unique role of Māori as Tangata Whenua and embrace Te Tiriti o Waitangi, recognising Māori as tino rangatiratanga of Aotearoa New Zealand while supporting the guiding principles of Te Tiriti – Tino rangatiratanga, Equality, Active protection, Options, and Partnership.
