The future Australian paramedic workforce: a snapshot of undergraduate paramedic students

The future Australian paramedic workforce: a snapshot of undergraduate paramedic students

Anthony LAING1, Scott DEVENISH2, David LIM2, Vivienne TIPPETT2 1Queensland Ambulance Service, Australia, [email protected];

2School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology

Aim

Method

Results

Section 1

Discussion

Case Study

The future Australian paramedic workforce |a snapshot of undergraduate paramedic students

Australian state-run Ambulance service

Dual qualified experienced female paramedic

Job sharing a full-time position

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Aim

Describe the demographics of undergraduate paramedic students

Explore impact of demographic change


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Method

Retrospective

Quantitative

Students enrolled 2005 – 2013

Single / Dual / Combined

QUT Reporting & Analysis Dept.


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Results

n = 1256

Average of 30% completing dual degree between 2009-2013

2013 = 41.2% enrolled in dual degree


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Results

52% female

Overall results skewed by high % female in dual degree

2013 = 57.6% female

Gender


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Results

Gender


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Results

82.9% under 25 years old 15-19 age group: 57.4% 20-24 age group: 25.5%

Dual degree students consistently younger than single degree

Age


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

Discussion

Results

45.2% previous higher education

39.5% secondary education

Data trending towards higher rates of admissions from tertiary education results; 62.9% in 2013

Basis of Course Admission


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study

DiscussionDiscussion

Quantitative snapshot of undergraduate paramedics

Data describes; Majority of students are female Dominated by young adults High proportion of dual qualifications


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study


Feminisation 19 observational studies

n=3963 60.7% female

“…predominately male, and works full-time, with frequent overtime.”1

Women represent 32% of workforce2


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study


Feminisation Improved professional mobility3

Reduction in average hours worked4-6

Demand for part-time positions2

Higher rates workplace injury7-9


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study


Age Ageing nursing workforce10

Majority paramedics aged 40-492

Gaps in maturity, empathy, intrapersonal skills11

Gen-Y: over-confidence, boredom, poor professional behaviour12

Less hours11


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study


Dual Qualifications 40% of paramedics hold a bachelor

degree or higher2

Up from 29% in 20062

Professional mobility is an opportunity to retain satisfied staff for longer3


Aim

Method

Results

Case Study


The Future “new cohort of paramedics are likely

to be quite different from those currently in the workforce.”1

Health Workforce Australia; Ambulance Officer and Paramedic

Workforce Study Report still being prepared


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Conclusion Ambulance provides a unique workplace

Need for flexibility

Awareness of future challenges within the workforce in order to plan solutions


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Acknowledgements

Dr. Abigail Winter; Head Information Co-ordinator at the Reporting and Analysis Department, QUT.


References

[1] Joyce CM, Wainer J, Piterman L, Wyatt A, Archer F. Trends in the paramedic workforce: a profession in transition. Aust Health Rev 2009; 33: 533-40.

[2] Paramedics Australasia (PA). Paramedics in the 2011 Census. Victoria, PA, 2012. [Cited 2 Dec 2013.] Available from URL: http://www.paramedics.org.au/content/2012/11/Paramedics-in-the-2011-census-final.pdf

[3] Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA). National Health Workforce Innovation and Reform Strategic Framework for Action. Flinders Park, CAA, 2011. [Cited 21 Nov 2013.] Available from URL: http://caa.net.au/attachments/article/127/2011-CAA-Submission-on-National-Health-Workforce-Innovation-Reform-Strategi~.pdf

[4] The Lancet. Women in medicine—a future assured (Editorial). The Lancet 2009; 373: 1997.

[5] Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee. Toward gender balance in the Australian medical workforce: some planning implications. Aust Health Rev 2000; 23: 27-42.


References

[6] Weizblit N, Noble J, Baerlocher MO. The feminisation of Canadian medicine and its impact upon doctor productivity. Medical Education 2009; 43: 442–448.

[7] Patterson D, Weaver MD, Frank RC, Warner CW, Martin-Gill C, Guyette FX, Fairbanks RJ, Hubble MW, Songer TJ, Callaway CW, Kelsey SF, Hostler D. Association between poor sleep, fatigue, and safety outcomes in Emergency Medical Services providers. Prehospital Emergency Care 2012; 16: 86–97

[8] Ulrika A, Barnekow-Bergkvist M, Angquist KA, Brulin C. Relationships between work-related factors and disorders in the neck-shoulder and low-back region among female and male ambulance personnel. J Occup Health. 2005; 47:481-9

[9] Okada N, Ishii N, Nakata M, Nakayama S. Occupational stress among Japanese emergency medical technicians: Hyogo Prefecture. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2005; 20: 115–21.

[10] Graham EM, Duffield C. An ageing nursing workforce. Aust Health Rev 2010; 34: 44–8.


References

[11] Willis E, Williams B, Brightwell R, O’Meara P, Pointon T. Road-ready paramedics and the supporting sciences curriculum. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-disciplinary Journal 2010; 11: 1-13.

[12] Hills C, Ryan S, Smith DR, Warren-Forward H. The impact of ‘Generation Y’ occupational therapy students on practice education. Aust Occup Therapy J 2012; 59: 156–63.


The future Australian paramedic workforce: a snapshot of undergraduate paramedic students

Anthony LAING1, Scott DEVENISH2, David LIM2, Vivienne TIPPETT2 1Queensland Ambulance Service, Australia, [email protected];

2School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology

The future Australian paramedic workforce: a snapshot of undergraduate paramedic students

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