Research Symposium 2024 was hosted on the 18th and 19th of July, at Australian Catholic University, Brisbane campus. This symposium’s theme, “Influence and Inspire: Advancing the Paramedicine Research Agenda for Australasia,” reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in paramedic research. The goal of this symposium was to highlight the crucial role of paramedic research in shaping and advancing emergency care.

To watch more recordings from the symposium, click here. Please note that we experienced some audio issues while recording this event. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause while watching the recordings

Soundwaves of innovation: A qualitative exploration of POCUS in Australasian ambulance and retrieval services

The study explores the adoption of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in Australasian paramedic practice, highlighting its diagnostic and procedural benefits. However, issues such as inconsistent training, lack of standardised governance, and varied adoption rates across regions pose challenges. Through interviews with medical directors and clinical leads, five themes were identified, including the need for clear governance and supportive cultural changes within paramedicine. The research emphasizes creating a comprehensive framework to standardise POCUS training and governance to maximise its benefits and ensure safe, quality care in out-of-hospital settings. Future efforts should focus on developing these standards.

Biography: Jake Donovan

Jake Donovan has over a decade of experience in Paramedicine. He has worked as an Advanced Life Support and Mobile Intensive Care Ambulance (MICA) paramedic with Ambulance Victoria for 10 years and spent 2 years with the South East Coast Ambulance Service in the UK. Currently, Jake is pursuing a PhD focused on the clinical utility of ultrasound for paramedics. Outside of his professional endeavours, he navigates the chaos of fatherhood with two young children, has a very tolerant wife, and wrangles two extra-large greyhounds.

Session moderator: Dr Ben Meadley, ASM, PhD, FACPara, Adjunct Associate Professor, Monash University and Intensive Care Flight Paramedic (Ambulance Victoria)