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
UK EMS999 Research Winner - HUGS@Home- an update!
Emergency services personnel experience both operational and organisational stressors. While formal and informal workplace supports exist, these are not always accessible or suitable for all, and research suggests that personnel lean on their families and friends for emotional support. Traditionally, this supportive role has been perceived as a burden to families and friends, with caution advised regarding vicarious/secondary trauma. Gaps in the literature include if and how these non-emergency services family/friend supporters are trained to provide this help and what support systems are available to them? This session will outline the HUGS@Home research programme, co-designed to train first responders' families and friends in psychological first aid.
Biography: Michelle O'Toole
Michelle is a Teacher Practitioner in RCSI School of Medicine and a Lecturer in Paramedicine in University College Cork; a registered Advanced Paramedic, Tutor and Examiner with the Prehospital Emergency Care Council (Paramedic regulator) in Ireland. She is an approved CISM Instructor, with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF) and holds a Masters in Psychological Trauma from University of Nottingham. She is currently undertaking a PhD with Monash University in Australia, exploring additional social support pathways for emergency services personnel.
Moderator: Sherlyn Hii, Conference MC and Paramedic, Ambulance Victoria and Registered Nurse, Grampians Health
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.
