Irish Journal of Paramedicine

5

Authors: K Kendellen, S O'Reilly

The Diploma in Immediate Medical Care (Dip IMC) awarded by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) is an internationally recognised award specifically aimed at the area of pre-hospital emergency medical care. The study syllabus is based on phase 1 of the UK Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine curriculum. Award examinations are inter-professional with a set standard regardless of candidates’ clinical level or back-round. The Dip IMC has a reputation for being difficult to pass and, equally, for attracting medical professionals of the highest standard at all grades. To date in Ireland, it has mostly been doctors specialising in emergency medicine that have attempted the award. With the introduction of advanced paramedic practice, the range of practitioners eligible to attempt it has increased. At the time of writing, three Irish advanced paramedics have successfully achieved the award. While it is a difficult award to achieve, and much content is outside current Irish paramedic scope of practice, a motivated, well prepared advanced paramedic can be successful. This article outlines the processes and preparations that two such paramedics followed to successfully achieve the Dip IMC RCSEd.

5

Authors: B Maguire, P O'Meara, A Newton

Around the world the emergency medical services (EMS) profession has made tremendous strides over recent decades. We have become more professional, have a rapidly growing proportion of paramedics who are university qualified, our practice has become more evidence-based, and a growing number of paramedics are completing graduate-level programs and going on to conduct their own research. In some countries, such as South Africa, the UK, and currently in Australia, this rise in professionalisation has resulted in paramedics becoming independently registered health care practitioners. As a profession we have much to celebrate when we consider these accomplishments.

3

Authors: D Hennelly

Over the past two years the National Ambulance service has engaged with both the country’s leading resuscitation experts and our international counterparts in a collaborative project focused on developing and expanding the National Ambulance Services response to out of hospital cardiac arrest. The One Life Project not only represents our commitment to improve standards of care it also represents our commitment to measure and publicly report on clinical outcomes of patients.

10

Authors: AM Batt, NM Cummins

Background The impact of social media and online learning in health professions education has previously shown generally positive results in medical, nursing and pharmacy students. To date there has not been any extensive research into social media and online learning use by prehospital health care professionals such as paramedics. Aim & Methods We sought to identify the extent to which Irish pre-hospital practitioners make use of online learning and social media for continuous professional competency (CPC), and the means by which they do so. A cross-sectional online survey of practitioners was conducted to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. The release of the survey was in a controlled manner to PHECC registrants via various channels. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Results A total of 248 respondents completed the survey in full by closing date of 31 March 2015, representing 5.4% of all registrants (n=4,555). 77% of respondents were male, and the majority were registered as Emergency Medical Technicians (49%), followed by Advanced Paramedics (26%). Over 78% of respondents used a mobile device in the course of their clinical duties; the majority used an iOS device. Social media and online learning were considered learning tools by over 75% of respondents, and over 74% agreed they should be further incorporated into prehospital education. The most popular platforms for CPC activities were YouTube and Facebook. The majority of respondents (88%) viewed self-directed activities to constitute continuous professional development activity, but 64% felt that an activity that resulted in the awarding of a certificate was better value. Over 90% of respondents had previous experience with online learning, but only 42% indicated they had previously purchased or paid for online learning. Conclusion Prehospital practitioners in Ireland in the population studied consider online learning and social media acceptable for CPC purposes. The main social media outlets used by PHECC registrants are YouTube and Facebook. Practitioners consider online learning that awards a certificate to be better value than self-directed activities. The majority have previous experience of online learning. The results of this study can be used to ensure educational interventions are targeted at practitioners through the correct channels.