‘Firsthand’ experience dealing with older people
Paramedic science students from the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) recently undertook training in what has been described as a Queensland ‘first’ program at Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village in Buderim.
L to R, front: Kimberley Clift, Nik Blokkeeros, Sherry-Leigh Crowley and Maree McDougal. L to R back: Jacob Doughan, Stephen Foster, Gea Veaghan-Johnson (facilitator), Julien Gobert and Sarah Anderson
The students learned how to treat, communicate with, and transport their most typical patients – older people.
Dr Bill Lord, USC Associate Professor in Paramedic Sciences, said the student paramedics learned about the effects of common medications, how to communicate with people who may have dementia or hearing difficulties and how to move frail people.
Despite television programs popularising paramedics’ role in trauma situations like car accidents, this constitutes only a small percentage of their actual work, he said.
“The majority of their workload is with older people,’’ Dr Lord said. “People think that paramedics spend their days attending car accident and serious cardiac arrests but the average age of their patients is in their early 60s.’’
Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village in Buderim hosted four groups of eight students every two weeks (in total there are 140 students at aged care services around the region).
Steve Stacey, Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village manager, said the program ensured paramedics would have firsthand experience dealing with older people and aged care nurses, which in turn would promote respect and understanding.
“The feedback from our staff and residents has been very positive and the conduct of the students whilst here on site has been outstanding,” Mr Stacey said.
Student paramedic, Jacob Doughan, said he gained valuable experience in the aged care setting.
“We did a bit of everything. We went on the drugs rounds most days, did some wound care like changing dressings,” Mr Doughan said.
“But the communication was the biggest aspect. My grandparents were really well for most of their lives so I haven’t had much exposure to aged care or things like dementia … that to me was the biggest aspect,” he added.
The placements at Immanuel Gardens Retirement Village have been organised with funding made available by Health Workforce Australia through the Queensland Regional Training Networks.
