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
Improving rural mental health outcomes with community paramedics: A mixed-method feasibility trial outcome
Older adults in rural Australia face significant health inequities and experience poorer health outcomes. This presentation provides feasibility trial outcomes of the CP@clinic program, a community paramedicine implementation based in Mildura, Victoria. The results indicate that half of participants reported anxiety or depression, often alongside social isolation and health challenges. However, participants experienced improved mental wellbeing through direct healthcare referrals and enhanced social and physical determinants of health. Findings highlight the need for accessible, integrated services such as the CP@clinic program to address the intertwined mental, physical and social needs of older adults in rural regions.
Biography: Dr Louise Reynolds
Dr Louise Reynolds is the Victorian Chief Paramedic Officer, Safer Care Victoria, Associate Professor in Paramedicine at ACU and Adjunct Professor, La Trobe University. She began her paramedicine career as a student paramedic with SA Ambulance Service before transitioning into research and academic roles. Louise was Australia’s first female paramedic to hold a doctoral degree, and she has extensive educational experience in vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs across Australia, the UK, and South-East Asia. Louise’s research focuses on paramedicine workplace safety and has been co-editor of Understanding the Australian Health Care System five times and is co-author of the paramedicine chapter. Louise is actively involved in professional bodies such as the Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans and the Australasian College of Paramedicine.
Moderator: Richard Armour, MICA Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria
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.
