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
Challenges and opportunities in developing paramedic clinical practice guidelines across Australasia
Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are central to paramedic care, yet how they are developed across Australian and New Zealand ambulance services is poorly described. Interviews identified three issues: ad-hoc, resource-constrained processes with limited project management and consultation; CPGs’ value under-recognised, leading to low prioritisation and funding; and variable teams and inconsistent use of appraisal frameworks (e.g., GRADE/AGREE II), reducing rigour. Participants nonetheless supported greater transparency and collaboration. Investment in training, resources and national standardisation of evidence-based CPG development could strengthen practice and outcomes.
Biography:A/Prof Sonja Maria
Associate Professor Sonja Maria is a paramedic academic at Charles Sturt University and Honours Adviser for the School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Sciences. Her research focuses on out-of-hospital care, clinical practice guidelines and implementation science, with a particular interest in rural and regional contexts. She chairs the Clinical Practice Guidelines Group at the Australasian College of Paramedicine. Sonja supervises higher degree students and collaborates with ambulance services across Australasia.
Moderator: A/Prof Ben Meadley, Director Paramedicine, Ambulance Victoria and Adjunct Associate Professor, Monash University
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.
