Emergency Health
Capacity Statement
December 2018 saw the commencement of National Registration for paramedics as registered health professions in Australia. This was in recognition of the complexity of the tasks they undertake on a daily basis and the education and training required to hold these positions. The Paramedicine Board of Australia noted that the role of a paramedic has grown dramatically over the last two decades as “paramedics are now working in a range of roles and environments, using sophisticated treatments and technology, to provide world class services to Australian communities.”
Our Department of Paramedicine is working to support the professionalisation of paramedicine by generating evidence to guide clinical practice across four major themes research streams:.
- Improving paramedic wellbeing: Working closely with colleagues from numerous health disciplines, we host the Paramedic Health and Wellbeing Research Unit (PHAWRU). The aim of this unit is to understand the causes of health and wellbeing challenges for paramedics and paramedic students to ensure we have a functioning health service with healthy clinicians.
- Enhancing paramedic education: As a provider of graduate level and intensive care paramedics, we strive to include the latest evidence based practice into our teaching, with ensuring we constantly research new methods for education, assessment and engagement
- Advancing paramedic practice: In collaboration with numerous Ambulance and Health services, we constantly strive to improve the treatment paramedics give to their patients in the field
- Expanding out of hospital health service: With National Registration, the scope for future roles in the health service are limitless. The unique skills that paramedics have, make them a vital part the health service and the effect their treatment can have on the entire patient journey warrants further investigation.
Researchers in our Department of Occupational Therapy are also working to inform the management of hand and wrist injuries by emergency departments.
Key Researchers
Kelly Bowles, Cameron Gosling, Brett Williams, Linda Ross, Primrose Lentin, Luke Robinson