An exploration into the health and well-being of paramedic students reveals several key areas of focus. Survey data from colleges highlight students' self-perceptions of their abilities and knowledge, alongside their views on current training and policies.
Various reports on paramedic injury, burnout and PTSD - which we have seen in the literature can improve with improved fitness, health and exercise
Survey Data
Provided by the college, this survey includes data on students current perceptions of their own abilities, their current knowledge on this topic and their perceptions of the colleges current training and policies
College Students
The problem of practice revolves around the students as they are what make up future Paramedics
College Instructors
Provide me information regarding the colleges current practices, problems they have run into, and possible solutions
Prior Course Work
PME803
I learned about potential leadership/follower frameworks I find will be especially important from a solution implementation perspective.
PME810
I learned about curriculum designs and philosophies that underpin my rationale for this project - that is to promote more holistic education in Paramedicine
PME894
I learned about qualitative/quantitative strategies that will aid me in completing this capstone
PME861
I completed a change management project that had the same goal of this, just completed through the perspective of a change report, and not a capstone project
Personal and Professional Experience
Student
I have seen many students fail school due to poor fitness ability and poor lifting mechanics
Educator
Through my experiences as an educator, I have found that many paramedics/students have a lack of knowledge when it comes to lifting, health, and personal fitness
Paramedic
I have seen many of my peers get injured due to poor lifting and poor fitness status
Current Literature
Stein, C., Sibanda, T. (2016). Burnout among paramedic students at a university in Johannesburg, South Africa. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 8.
Telama, R., Yang, X., Viikari, J., Välimäki, I., Wanne, O., & Raitakari, O. (2005). Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: a 21-year tracking study. American journal of preventive medicine, 28(3), 267–273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2004.12.003
Sheridan, S. (2019). Paramedic health status, fitness and physical tasks: A review of the literature. Australasian Journal of Paramedicine, 16. https://doi.org/10.33151/ajp.16.580
Maguire, B.J., O'Meara, P.F., Brightwell, R.F., O'Neill, B.J. and Fitzgerald, G.J. (2014), Occupational injury risk among Australian paramedics: an analysis of national data. Medical Journal of Australia, 200: 477-480. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja13.10941
Fass, B. (2018). EMS injuries are predictable and preventable. EMS World. Retrieved from https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/emsworld/article/220174/ems-injuries-are-predictable-and-preventable
