Community role education: an evaluation of knowledge, skills and confidence

Abstract

With the expansion of specialist non-traditional community paramedic roles, education programmes need to be fit for purpose, evidence-based and informed by industry and community requirements. To evaluate the effectiveness of a community paramedic short course in improving knowledge, skills and confidence in undertaking a community paramedic role. Educational intervention evaluation of a short course on community paramedicine. All participants increased their mean scores for knowledge, skills and confidence. The biggest areas of improvement were seen in areas not historically taught or practised in paramedicine such as falls assessments, ear/nose/throat assessment and care, gastrointestinal assessment and care, and troubleshooting urinary catheters and specialist equipment. This type of education is successful in improving knowledge, skills and confidence. However, exposure to patients with specialist community health care needs and adequate support in the novice phase is fundamental for the consolidation of education.