Undergraduate paramedic student psychomotor skills in an obstetric setting: An evaluation

• Published in: Nurse education in practice 2018-01, Vol.28, p.13-19
• Main Authors: Lenson, Shane, Mills, Jason
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ambulance services; Australia; Case studies; Case study; Clinical Competence; Clinical education; Clinical placements; Clinical training; Content analysis; Curricula; Curriculum; Data Analysis; Education reform; Educational Quality; Emergency Medical Technicians - education; Employment; Evaluation; Experts; Female; Health education; Humans; Independent study; Intensive care; Inter-professional placement; Learning; Mental health; Midwifery; Nursing; Obstetrics; Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital; Organizational Case Studies; Paramedic student; Paramedics; Peer review; Pilot Projects; Pregnancy; Psychomotor Performance; Quality; Skills; Student Placement; Students; Teaching
• ISSN: 1471-5953; 1873-5223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2017.08.004

The clinical education of paramedic students is an international concern. In Australia, student placements are commonly undertaken with local district ambulance services, however these placements are increasingly limited. Clinical placements within inter-professional settings represent an innovative yet underdeveloped area of investigation. This paper addresses that gap by reporting a pilot evaluation of paramedic student clinical placements in a specialised obstetrics setting. Using a case study approach, the evaluation aimed to identify paramedic psychomotor skills that could be practised in this setting, and understand the nature of key learning events. A purposive sample of paramedic students was recruited following completion of the obstetrics placement. A combination of student reflection and assessed psychomotor skills data were collected from clinical placement logs. Content analysis of all data was conducted inductively and deductively, as appropriate. Findings indicated a comprehensive range of psychomotor skills can be practised in this setting, with over thirty psychomotor skills identified directly related to the paramedic curriculum; and seven psychomotor skills indirectly related. The themes finding confidence in maternity care, watching the experts, and putting theory into practice provide narrative insight into the clinical learning experience of paramedic students in this setting. Further research is recommended to build upon this pilot. •A variety of paramedic psychomotor skills can be practised in obstetrics settings.•Key learning themes relate to confidence, observation, and practical experience.•This knowledge can serve to enhance future clinical placements and inform curricula.•Further research exploring inter-professional clinical placements is recommended.