Clinical Practice Discussion Forum

You are required to participate in three (3) different Module Clinical Practice Discussion (CPD) forums throughout the unit that correspond with selected topics within each respective Module. A new topic of discussion will be presented every Monday and will close two weeks later on the Sunday night at 11:55 pm.

• Forum One: Opens Monday Week Two 16/03/2020 9am (closes 29/03/2020)
  
• Forum Two: Opens Monday Week Six 20/04/2020 9am (closes 03/05/2020)
  
• Forum Three: Opens Monday Week Eleven 25/05/2020 9am (closes 07/06/2020)
  

The CPD forums will utilise the ‘Verso’ education software platform and involve the entire class as well as smaller groups at times. Teaching staff will act as moderators for the CPD forums however the emphasis of these forums centers around student engagement and interaction as well as student-led constructive and contemporary contribution.

CPD One and Two will be worth 15% each with CPD Three set at 20% and will be based on the following criteria:

Word Count: 300 (+/-10%) for each CPD

Interactivity and Professionalism

Demonstrated prompt and appropriate interaction with the posed question. Demonstrated proficiency and professionalism in ability to address questions or challenges posed by other participants in the forum. Utilised language and dialogue that is expected and appropriate for the health profession. Maximum Score: 4 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 5)

Engagement and Contribution to Dialogue Demonstrated engagement with the forum and positively contributed to the discussions by addressing or posing questions, challenging ideas, stimulated ongoing relevant conversation and added real value to the discussions. Actively improved the learning outcomes for other students as a result of the contributions. Maximum Score: 3 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 5)

Demonstrated appropriate language, descriptions, structure, references and referencing for the forum posts. Utilised contemporary evidence or teachings in the responses with clear links to clinical or practical implementation. Identified gaps in the evidence to support current clinical practice and/or discuss novel approaches and ideas based on contemporary evidence or clinical practice. Maximum Score: 8 (Maximum score in CPD Three will be: 10)

Preamble: Pre-hospital care in Australia is a dynamic and constantly evolving environment. With the introduction of new technology and emerging research, how we treat our patients and the scope of paramedic practise also evolves.

Rationale: Pre-hospital care is becoming an evidence-based profession, all new skills and procedures should, therefore, be supported by best practice. As health care professionals we need to remain current in our clinical practice and be cognisant of when we are limited by our own scope of clinical practice.

Details: You are to investigate and report on a skill or procedure that is currently utilised by Critical Care Paramedics working with the Queensland Ambulance Service. You will deliver your findings as a scientific poster presentation.

Objectives:

Research a skill or procedure utilised by Critical Care Paramedics working with the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Using evidence-based data:

• Discuss the procedure/skill: Provide an overview of its application and discuss its relevance to paramedic practice. Using supporting evidence discuss the utilisation prehospitally and the benefits it provides.
• CPP breakdown: Explain why it has the current INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS and COMPLICATIONS, or why it has none.
• Comparison: Compare and contrast to procedure/skills utilised by Advanced Care Paramedics and discuss why there is a clinical requirement for this procedure/skill in prehospital care.
• Recommendations: Examine why this procedure/skill is only performed by Critical Care Paramedics. Discuss if it is justified to limit the procedure/skill to Critical Care Paramedics. Explore the appropriateness and feasibility of implementation of the procedure/skill to Advanced Care Paramedics. Consider factors including clinical knowledge, cost, training and frequency of skill utilisation. Provide a recommendation on maintenance of current scope of practice or if applicable implementation of this procedure/skill into the Advance Care Paramedic scope of practice.

Word Count:

1000 Words (+\- 10%)

Results for this assessment will be based on the following criteria:

Discussion: Demonstrated an appropriate overview of the procedure/skill, utilising contemporary evidence to support or justify arguments made. Maximum Score: 10

CPP Breakdown: All required aspects of the CPP were addressed with correct and relevant content. Explanations provided were appropriate with the utilisation of evidence to support them. Maximum Score: 10

Comparison: Appropriate discussion on benefits and limitations of similar Advanced Care Paramedic skill and why there is a clinical requirement of the Critical Care Paramedic skill. Maximum Score: 10

Recommendations: Established and justified reasons why the procedure/skill may be limited to Critical Care Paramedic. Provided recommendations on the appropriate scope of practice for this procedure/skill. Demonstrated multi factorial discussion if to be implemented into Advanced Care Paramedic scope of practice. Maximum Score: 10

Poster Setup: Professional presentation of the scientific poster in terms of organised layout (e.g. flow and use of headings), use of visual aspects (images/diagrams and readability). Presented the information in a logical sequence with an appropriate flow of information. Demonstrated appropriate grammar and spelling. Maximum Score: 5

References and Referencing: Utilised at least eight high-quality references (a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed articles are expected). Included predominantly peer-reviewed scientific articles including sentinel articles, high levels of evidence or quality studies and articles that were appropriate for the topic. Utilised the APA referencing style with appropriate and correctly formatted in-text referencing and reference list. Maximum Score: 5

Total Score: 50

The safe and competent performance of medical and procedures and skills forms a core aspect of paramedic practice, and as such all qualified Paramedics need to be assessed on a regular basis to ensure continued excellent standards of practice. This assessment will be conducted using a variety of platforms, including (but not limited to) general observation, one-on-one discussion and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).

Attendance at the Residential school is compulsory. Inability to attend must be discussed as soon a possible with your lecturer BEFORE THE SCHEDULED TIME with alternate arrangements being made. Please note that appropriate documentation will need to be provided.

You will be required to demonstrate your theoretical knowledge and practical abilities for each skill and procedure addressed in this course. This will be conducted on a number of varying platforms, such as general observation, one on one demonstration and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE's). The practical assessments consist of a quiz on the first morning of the residential school, followed by a random selection of two skills covered throughout the unit on the last day of the residential school. Students must achieve a Pass Mark for every assessment attempted to pass the unit. Students will be provided with one resit should they fail one assessment. If a student fails two or more assessments, an overall Fail will be awarded for this unit.

Critical errors in this unit will be classed as anything, by act or omission, that causes immediate harm or the potential to cause harm, to yourself, partner, patient or bystanders or any procedure that is performed outside your scope of practice. During any form of assessment, if any of the following are witnessed the assessment will immediately cease, and no marks will be given for that assessment. Furthermore, any critical error discovered on review or moderation will also result in no marks being given for that particular assessment:

· Unsafe defibrillation

· Incorrect joules delivered during defibrillation

· Defibrillation of a non-shockable rhythm

· Failure to recognise a cardiac arrest (>1minute)

· Failure to shock a shockable rhythm in a timely manner (<2 minutes)

· Failure to perform a complete drug check

· Incorrect sharps disposal or unsafe practice with a sharp

· Performing a skill or procedure or administering a drug outside your scope of practice

· Any grossly unsafe practice, as determined by the assessing academic.

If you do not understand any of the above, please do not hesitate to clarify with your unit coordinator.