Undergraduate Paramedic Students’ Experience of Paramedic Tutors Teaching Public Health

Abstract

Introduction Previous studies have shown teaching public health in medical courses improves students’ analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. However, little research to date has shown if public health teaching is helpful to paramedic students. The aim of this study was to examine if having paramedic tutors teach public health had a positive effect on students’ learning and interest in public health. Methods 184 second-year paramedic students at an Australian university completed a printed survey and provided feedback about their learning experience. Students answered multiple choice and open-ended questions about whether their understanding of a public health subject was improved by having a paramedic tutor, and if having different tutors each week affected students’ learning. Results Most students reported their understanding of public health improved when the subject was taught by a paramedic tutor and when paramedic scenario examples were included in teaching. Nearly half felt having different tutors each week made learning difficult. The following themes emerged from student narratives: the relevance of public health to their career; an improved understanding of public health; a realisation about the importance of public health; difficulties presented by an inconsistent teaching style; and poor follow-up and conflicting advice. Conclusion Teaching public health from a paramedic perspective enabled students to understand the relevance of paramedic practice and the role paramedics play in the public health system. Having the same paramedic tutor teaching each week helped students understand the relationship between public health and paramedic practice.