Ms. Rebecca Houli3, A/Prof. Louise Reynolds2, Professor Scott Devenish4, Ms. Ashleigh Finn1, Dr Scott Steward1, Ms Lisa Hobbs1, Dr Jaci Mason5, Mr. Jeremy Taylor10, Mr. Brad Mitchell11, Mr. Dane Rickwood8, A/Prof Mal Boyle9, Mr. Charlton Quitoriano12, Mr. Dennis Walker7
1Australian Catholic University, Fitzroy , Australia, 2Safer Care Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, 3Victoria University, Footscray, Australia, 4Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans, Banyo, Australia, 5University of Notre Dame, Fremantle , Australia , 6Central Queensland University , Ipswich, Australia, 7University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia, 8Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia, 9Griffith University, Nathan, Australia , 10Queensland Ambulance Service , Brisbane, Australia , 11Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 12Monash University , Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Rebecca Houli, Registered Paramedic, began her paramedicine career in 2007. She is an expert educator in Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education (HE) settings. She is leading the ACPD sponsored national harmonisation of the work-integrated learning (WIL) clinical placement assessment tool (APPCAT).
Abstract:
Situation: Paramedicine education lacks a nationally standardized assessment tool for evaluating students during work-integrated learning (WIL). The existing method of direct observation, lacks rigor in assessing the professional capabilities for registered paramedics (PCFRP), posing risks to patient safety and the future workforce. The absence of a validated instrument sets it apart from allied health, nursing and midwifery disciplines.
To address this gap, in 2023 the Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans (ACPD) became Executive Sponsor for the development of the Australian Paramedicine Professional Capabilities Tool (APPCAT), in order for national undergraduate programs to meet Ahpra Paramedicine Board of Australia’s accreditation standards for work integrated learning (WIL).
Task: An Expert Reference Working Group (ERWG) was established to identify the relevant behavioural cues aligning with PCFRP domains. This is the first of three phases for the national harmonisation of WIL assessment for paramedicine students in a practice setting.
Actions: Replicating the methodology used in other health disciplines, the ERWG has undertaken three (3) consensus rounds of modified Delphi technique to identify the 10 key behavioural cues for each PCFRP descriptor.
The next step for the project is to pilot both the tool and the behavioural cues with jurisdictional ambulance service practice educators and students for reliability using RASCH analysis.
Results: This presentation will detail the process undertaken by the ERWG for behavioural cues for the PCFPR descriptors as part of the APPCAT project.