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 - The Older Patient
This session will explore the critical importance of understanding and assessing capacity in older adults, particularly in prehospital care. With an aging population and increasing cases of dementia and delirium, paramedics must navigate legal frameworks and clinical guidelines to ensure safe and ethical decision-making. The presentation will cover the components of capacity, the legal aspects, and practical steps for assessment, emphasizing the need for tailored communication and vigilance in managing patients with impaired capacity
Biography: Dr Will Browne
Dr. William (Will) Browne is a consultant geriatrician and physician–educator at Eastern Health in Melbourne. After completing physician and geriatric medicine training in Newcastle, he relocated to Melbourne in 2006 to pursue dementia research, focusing on neuroimaging and care pathways. Since joining Eastern Health in 2007, he has advanced to Clinical Lead for Research in the Department of Geriatrics and to Director of Physician Education at Maroondah Hospital.
He splits his time between: • providing inpatient clinical care for older adults, • delivering multidisciplinary consultation across the Eastern Health network, • teaching medical students, residents, and fellows, • and partnering with aged-care facilities to improve on-site clinical services.
His academic and teaching interests include: • hands-on mastery of the geriatric physical examination, • assessment and management of movement disorders such as parkinsonism, • and optimizing acute-care protocols for frail older patients
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.
