PAR3010 - Professional issues in paramedic practice

Leader: Ms Ingrid Bielajs

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2008 (Off-campus)
Peninsula Second semester 2008 (Off-campus)

Synopsis

This unit will introduce the student to the concepts of professionalism and explore the notion of ambulance paramedics as professionals through the identification of models of professionalism and discussion of the related concepts of clinical competency and clinical problem solving. Both individual and organisation measures of performance will be explored and the role of data to support research introduced.

Through the assessment requirements, this unit will provide students with the opportunity to begin to develop graduate level competencies in communication skills, computer skills, accessing information resources and report writing.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit, the student will be able to:

1. identify traditional and contemporary models of professionalism and discuss their application to the role of the ambulance paramedic;

2. describe models of clinical problem solving, clinical decision making and critical appraisal in patient care and their relationship to models of professionalism;

3. understand the principles of continuous quality improvement and clinical audit and their application to ambulance services and professional practice;

4. identify common clinical and performance indicators and their application to clinical practice and service provision;

5. discuss the role of clinical information systems and clinical data bases with respect to clinical and operational perspectives;

6. use computers to access information resources and use appropriate style guides to develop written assignments at the standard normally expected of a Monash University graduate; and

7. critically appraise a contemporary topic related to ambulance paramedic practice and professionalism.

Assessment

3 x Worksheets: 30%
2 x minor assignments: 40%
1500 word written assignment: 30%

Contact hours

Students will be required to spend 12 hours per week in study and assessment preparation, including contact time in the on campus mode. This equates to a minimum of 156 hours of student work required over the 13 week semester.

Prerequisites

Students are required to hold a Diploma of Ambulance Paramedic Studies or equivalent and be practising paramedics and/or Australian armed forces personnel.

Co-requisites

PAR3020, PAR3030, PAR3040