title: An investigation of theory-practice gap in undergraduate paramedic education.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bachelor of Emergency Health (Paramedic) (BEH) students at Monash University undertake clinical placements to assist with the transition from student to novice paramedic. Anecdotally, students report a lack of opportunity to practise their clinical skills whilst on placements. The barriers to participation and the theory-practice gap have not been previously documented in Australian paramedic literature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the theory-practice gap for paramedic students by linking education and skill level to case exposure and skills praxis during clinical placements.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional retrospective study using a convenience sample of second and third year BEH undergraduate students. Ethics approval was granted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty four second and third year BEH students participated. 59.5% were female (n = 50), 40.5% were male (n = 34). Overall, students most commonly reported exposure to cardiac and respiratory cases and were satisfied with the number of cases encountered during placement. However, over half (n = 46) reported being exposed to < 50% of cases that allowed skills praxis. The most common barrier to participation (34.5%) was the opportunity to participate in patient care and 68% of student's were unsure if paramedics understood their role during clinical placements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the majority of students were satisfied with their clinical placement experience; even though they were exposed to < 50% of cases that allowed skills practice. Identifying these educational barriers will assist in improving the quality and theory-practice gap of paramedic clinical education.
authors.affiliation: Monash University, Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Frankston 3199, Victoria, Australia. ramic2@student.monash.edu
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Michau
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011364:Professional Practice; D012189:Retrospective Studies