Expanding the role of paramedics in northern Queensland: an evaluation of population health training.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experience of the paramedics doing the population health component of the Graduate Certificate in Rural and Remote Paramedic Practice.


METHODS
Analysis of paramedics' reported opinions about the course and its impact.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
Data were obtained from de-identified surveys submitted by the paramedics at the beginning and the end of the population health component of the course.


RESULTS
All paramedics felt that after the course they were more committed to undertaking population health activities in their work and were better prepared to do so. As a result of undertaking the course, 73% of students have already changed their practice. Seventy-five per cent agreed that doing the course would increase the likelihood of staying in rural and remote areas and all agreed that doing the course resulted in increased job satisfaction. The majority (87%) of the students rated the course as excellent or very good and all of them said that they would recommend the course to others.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that rural and remote paramedics have the opportunity and desire to incorporate more health promotion and prevention into their practice and that this course has provided them with the skills and knowledge to do so. The curriculum is based on National Health Priority Areas focusing in particular on lifestyle change to prevent and manage chronic disease. This means that in rural and remote areas, all health professionals can use a common framework to work together to enhance primary health care and chronic disease management as a multidisciplinary team.
Reeve
Carole
C
Mount Isa Centre for Rural and Remote Health, Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia.
Pashen
Dennis
D
Mumme
Heather
H
De la Rue
Stephanie
S
Cheffins
Tracy
T
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D002568:Certification; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy; D003154:Community Medicine / Q000193:education*; D003162:Competency-Based Education; D003479:Curriculum; D004500:Education, Graduate; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000193:education*; D011365:Professional Practice Location; D024382:Professional Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011793:Queensland; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards; D000078329:Workforce